40
A. L. Salvia and L. L. Brandli
include actions to reduce economic costs and increase economic returns to investment; to provide energy security; to reduce energy waste and the amount of primary
energy resources used; besides assisting to mitigate global and local environmental
impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions (World Bank 2007; Bunse et al. 2011).
In summary, the articles in this category described energy savings opportunities at
universities or in other sectors, energy efficiency in processes or products, modelling
and simulations to reduce carbon emissions in energy systems, amongst others (Aris
and Bhaskoro 2014; Lau et al. 2014; Unachukwu 2010).
3.3 Interconnection Between SDG 7 Targets and Role
of Universities
The results so far present evidence of the ways that universities have been contributing
to SD in the energy context and, therefore, it is possible to connect each area of action
to the SDG 7 targets, as indicated in Fig. 8.
Target 7.1 is about energy access and has two indicators: proportion of population
with access to electricity and proportion of population with primary reliance on clean
fuels and technology. Universities tend to contribute to this goal by their actions in
curriculum greening—by cultivating a new generation of professionals, technically
prepared to work in this matter; extension—by performing concrete projects in collaboration with or for communities; and research—by searching for more efficient
ways to provide energy and improving modern technologies.
Target 7.2 encourages the use of renewable energy. It can be measured by determining the share of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption. In
this context, universities could play a role through campus operations or extension—when renewable energy is used in academic buildings or through providing
this type of opportunity to communities as well. It can also be through curriculum
greening—by using existing technologies on campus to teach or by including more
subjects related to renewable energy in class. In the last instance, it can be through
research (i.e. bibliometric study, energy efficiency and renewable energy)—by understanding older and new studies and by investing in methods to improve the efficiency
of renewable sources.
Increasing energy efficiency is the specific aim of Target 7.3, for which the indicator of energy intensity is measured in terms of primary energy and GDP (Gross
Domestic Product). Since energy efficiency is related to many aspects (such as economic costs, energy security, energy savings and carbon emissions) all actions performed by universities connect directly to this target, except research on bibliometric
studies, since its contribution is not that applicable.
The following target, namely 7a, seeks to enhance international cooperation, and
is measured by financial investments. Universities could contribute while investing in
curriculum greening (by teaching students the importance of mobilisation and cooperation) and extension projects (by applying this cooperation, at least in the context
A. L. Salvia and L. L. Brandli
include actions to reduce economic costs and increase economic returns to investment; to provide energy security; to reduce energy waste and the amount of primary
energy resources used; besides assisting to mitigate global and local environmental
impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions (World Bank 2007; Bunse et al. 2011).
In summary, the articles in this category described energy savings opportunities at
universities or in other sectors, energy efficiency in processes or products, modelling
and simulations to reduce carbon emissions in energy systems, amongst others (Aris
and Bhaskoro 2014; Lau et al. 2014; Unachukwu 2010).
3.3 Interconnection Between SDG 7 Targets and Role
of Universities
The results so far present evidence of the ways that universities have been contributing
to SD in the energy context and, therefore, it is possible to connect each area of action
to the SDG 7 targets, as indicated in Fig. 8.
Target 7.1 is about energy access and has two indicators: proportion of population
with access to electricity and proportion of population with primary reliance on clean
fuels and technology. Universities tend to contribute to this goal by their actions in
curriculum greening—by cultivating a new generation of professionals, technically
prepared to work in this matter; extension—by performing concrete projects in collaboration with or for communities; and research—by searching for more efficient
ways to provide energy and improving modern technologies.
Target 7.2 encourages the use of renewable energy. It can be measured by determining the share of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption. In
this context, universities could play a role through campus operations or extension—when renewable energy is used in academic buildings or through providing
this type of opportunity to communities as well. It can also be through curriculum
greening—by using existing technologies on campus to teach or by including more
subjects related to renewable energy in class. In the last instance, it can be through
research (i.e. bibliometric study, energy efficiency and renewable energy)—by understanding older and new studies and by investing in methods to improve the efficiency
of renewable sources.
Increasing energy efficiency is the specific aim of Target 7.3, for which the indicator of energy intensity is measured in terms of primary energy and GDP (Gross
Domestic Product). Since energy efficiency is related to many aspects (such as economic costs, energy security, energy savings and carbon emissions) all actions performed by universities connect directly to this target, except research on bibliometric
studies, since its contribution is not that applicable.
The following target, namely 7a, seeks to enhance international cooperation, and
is measured by financial investments. Universities could contribute while investing in
curriculum greening (by teaching students the importance of mobilisation and cooperation) and extension projects (by applying this cooperation, at least in the context