Energy and water: COVID‐19 impacts and implications for interconnected sustainable development goals

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic presented a chance to investigate the effects of system‐wide emergencies on major global commodities such as water and energy. In terms of environmental policies and attaining supply security, these developmental goals are interrelated. Despite pandemic disruptions, there is a compelling need for a systematization in these areas for the transition to clean water access and sustainable energy. This article presents a comprehensive assessment of the effects of COVID‐19 on these two sustainable development goals. Further, an integrated aspect of water and energy access for sustainable development is evaluated with insights on the effects of COVID‐19 on the water‐energy nexus. Additionally, technological evolution for building better water and energy supply systems is presented. An insight into developing robust healthcare systems and how the water and energy SDGs affect population dynamics is also speculated, which indicates varied short‐term adaption experiences, and highlights the need for a re‐evaluation of the water‐energy nexus. The integrated solutions contributing to stability of the water supply chain, energy storage, and policy making during and after an outbreak are critical to achieving developmental goals.

Impact of antimicrobial resistance on sustainable development goals and the integrated strategies for meeting environmental and socio‐economic targets

“…The quicker this process takes place, the greater the likelihood that germs may develop resistance. 50,51 In lieu of this, reframing AMR as a problem related to sustainability will demand coherence in policy and institutions on all levels of policy, from global to local.…”

“…Antimicrobial efficacy needs to be acknowledged as a genuinely significant global public good and controlled in accordance with this status to prevent an AMR "tragedy of the commons" situation. 51 In addition to the Global Action Plan on AMR, there is a crucial need for global action that cuts across all sectors to complement it. This action must come from governments and other stakeholders.…”

A review of the sustainable development goals to make headways through theCOVID‐19 pandemic era

“…Goals of alleviating poverty and ensuring reliable supplies of food, water, and energy have been setback by the pandemic and need immediate attention. 42,43 But in the longer term, it is critical to enhance infrastructure, promote research and technological innovation, and optimize the interaction between people and environment to realize the SDGs. c. The principles of sustainable development are shaped through international collaboration.…”

“…This includes things like enhancing logistical and infrastructure frameworks and increasing domestic manufacturing and equity strength. Balance between immediate repair and future growth: Regaining forward momentum requires the identification and resolution of both immediate and underlying causes. Goals of alleviating poverty and ensuring reliable supplies of food, water, and energy have been setback by the pandemic and need immediate attention 42,43 . But in the longer term, it is critical to enhance infrastructure, promote research and technological innovation, and optimize the interaction between people and environment to realize the SDGs.…”

Overview of the advances in plant microbial fuel cell technology for sustainable energy recovery from rhizodeposition

“…The world came together in 2015 to agree upon 17 Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs (Bhattacharya et al, 2022a). The three pillars of sustainable development that were addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “prosperity,” “planet,” and “people.” The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a benchmark against which all nations can evaluate their progress towards achieving sustainability (Bhattacharya & Bose, 2023). The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates that for developing countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030, they will need to make yearly investments of between $3.3 trillion and $4.5 trillion (Filho et al, 2022).…”