The targets outlined in the document lack clear definitions and are vague in its wordings. Therefore, it is impossible to impose an exact measurement on any possible progress achieved. However, taking into account of the traditional ways of defining concepts and understanding issues, it is not difficult to achieve a rather general but accurate conclusion on the success or failure of reaching the targets. In short, by itself, the targets are not measurable, but with the past study and research accounted, the progress are very much comparable. Section 7.1 emphasizes the universal access to modern energy (UN, 2014). International Energy Agency in fact provides a set of definitions on accessibility of modern energy. It includes “minimum level …show more content…
Data on the accessibility of the energy is measured across the globe and can be found about each continent. However, the IEA explains that the data is only collected in certain countries and areas, and the quality of the data is also not the same in different geographic areas (IEA, 2015). On the topic of “energy efficiency”, IEA report states, “due to their high costs, which also imply that samples are generally small, and therefore rarely representative (IEA, p.32).” This again shows that the data measured are not completely in whole, but selected in parts in the effort to make the process convenient. Section 7.a. is not conclusively measured, since it is extremely broad. It is impossible to pinpoint to a set of indicators to argue if countries’ cooperation has been enhanced. A new cooperative relationship may start at the demise of another one. Although target 7.b. can be measured, it suffers the same issue of broadness and feasibility. It is too broad to be measured on an internationally accepted standard and it is not feasible to collect data on every single country about the progress of their technology and infrastructure. Therefore, some targets are not measured due to an issue of feasibility, and some are measured, but only in …show more content…
They are two crucial aspects to the topic of energy, but are not included by the UN. A determinant reason that millions of people across the globe have to resort to biomass to cook is that the cost associated with modern energy makes it less accessible (Birol, p.1). This unfortunate situation is due to many reasons. A key reason is that many of the resources required to install energy plants are disproportionally controlled by a few geopolitical actors. This causes large fluctuations on the commodity prices all over the globe, making not only modern energy, but also other basic human development targets, such as shelters and transportations less attainable (Regnier, p.2). However, it is not difficult to improve on the issue of cost. As Faith Birol states in his paper, “The cost of providing assistance to poor countries may turn out to be far less than that of dealing with the instability and insecurity that poverty creates (Birol, p.5).” The solution to reducing the cost and making modern energy more accessible should be a combination of the local government assistance, international subsidy and the help from non-profitable and non-governmental organizations. The exact formula to solve