Sustainable Development Goals
Gram Oorja And The UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 64 % of all of Indian households are in rural areas.
- By 2030, demand for energy will increase by 50%, water by 40% and food by 35%.
- 84% of the world’s 570 million farms are under two hectares, yet smallholder farmers often remain impoverished and hungry.
- The income of an average person in rural India is less than even half of theirurban counterpart.
- 600 million people, or 43% of the total population, lack access to electricity, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Nearly 60% of health centers lack electricity, and only 34% of hospitals and 28% of clinics have reliable power.
- Half of all vaccines distributed globally are ruined due to lack of refrigeration.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, 29 out of 53 countries have access rates for clean cooking below 20%, with the percentage decreasing in recent years.
What Are The UN Sustainable Development Goals?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations in September 2015, is a comprehensive plan for people, planet, and prosperity. It includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, designed to balance economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
The goals emphasize global partnerships, requiring collaboration among businesses, governments, NGOs, and civil society.
Gram Oorja And The SDGs
Focus
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
We provide renewable energy solutions to remote villages, ensuring access to affordable and clean energy for communities lacking infrastructure. Our work includes installing solar micro-grids, grid-tied systems, biogas cooking systems, and solar water pumps for irrigation. These initiatives offer reliable electricity and clean cooking fuel, reducing reliance on non-renewable sources.
Other Impact Areas
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Our solar-powered projects in rural health centers, hospitals and other essential institutions, ensure reliable electricity for healthcare facilities, enabling better medical services and storage of vaccines. Biogas projects reduce indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods, improving respiratory health. They also emphasize utilizing organic waste in the form of slurry, enhancing soil fertility, and reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
Gender equality is promoted through active involvement of women in our projects, ensuring that our energy solutions benefit all equally. By easing the demands of water collection and offering safer, cleaner cooking methods, our initiatives bring significant improvements to daily life. Women are also an essential part of the decision-making process, and the village energy committee formed.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Our projects generate local employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in rural areas. The installation and maintenance of solar micro-grids, water pumps, and biogas systems create local jobs and foster entrepreneurship. By providing reliable energy, we also support local businesses and agricultural productivity, leading to increased incomes and economic stability.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Our projects aim to reduce inequalities by providing marginalized communities with access to essential resources such as energy and water. Specific focus on remote and underserved areas ensures that the benefits of development reach those most in need.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
We contribute to building sustainable communities by providing essential services such as electricity, water, and clean cooking solutions. These projects enhance the resilience and sustainability of rural villages, making them more self-sufficient and safer.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Gram Oorja’s projects contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our solar micro-grids, grid-tied systems, solar pumps and biogas systems decrease reliance on fossil fuels, promoting cleaner energy sources that are energy efficient.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
We collaborate with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, grassroot organizations and local communities, to implement our projects. These partnerships enhance the effectiveness and reach of our initiatives, ensuring sustainable development. By leveraging resources and expertise from different sectors, we aim towards a collaborative approach to achieving the SDGs.