Can industrial growth and climate action go hand in hand? – UN News

Report on Sustainable Industrial Development Initiatives and the Daures Green Hydrogen Village Project

Introduction: A Case Study in Sustainable Development

In Namibia’s Daures region, the Daures Green Hydrogen Village project serves as a model for achieving economic growth and job creation without reliance on fossil fuels. This initiative is a practical application of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) mission to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development, directly contributing to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The project’s primary objective is the sustainable production of hydrogen and ammonia from renewable energy sources. This process directly supports key SDGs:

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The project utilizes renewable sources, pioneering a transition away from fossil fuels in industrial processes.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): It introduces innovative technology to create Namibia’s first carbon-free green fertilizer, building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By creating a carbon-free product, the project contributes to climate change mitigation and reduces the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector.

Socio-Economic Impact and Community Empowerment

The Daures Green Hydrogen Village is designed to deliver comprehensive community benefits, advancing multiple social and economic SDGs. It is projected that over 1,000 people will benefit from enhanced food security and sustainable employment. Key community-focused outcomes include:

1. Enhanced Food Security (SDG 2: Zero Hunger): The local production of green fertilizer reduces import dependency and supports sustainable agriculture. The project also provides training in horticulture and crop production.
2. Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth): A solar-powered tomato paste processing plant adds value to local produce and creates local employment, fostering sustainable economic growth.
3. Poverty Reduction (SDG 1: No Poverty): The creation of sustainable jobs provides stable income opportunities for the local community.

The Role of UNIDO and Global Partnerships

The Daures project exemplifies UNIDO’s broader strategy to assist countries in the global south with sustainable industrial transformation. UNIDO’s efforts are crucial for achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry (GPHI): UNIDO’s GPHI supports countries such as Costa Rica and Morocco in developing sustainable economies centered on green hydrogen.
• Global Industry Summit: An upcoming summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will serve as a platform to advance UNIDO’s mission. The summit aims to secure commitments and partnerships to foster a fair global economy based on sustainability and shared prosperity.

Global Industry Summit: Thematic Focus on SDGs

The summit’s agenda is structured to address critical development issues through dedicated thematic forums, each aligned with specific SDGs:

• Investment and Partnerships Day: Focuses on international cooperation and technology as drivers of industrial transformation, supporting SDG 9 and SDG 17.
• Women’s Empowerment Day: Highlights women’s leadership in industry, directly addressing SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• Youth and Young Talent Day: Centers on the role of youth entrepreneurship in the future of industry, contributing to SDG 8.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   The article addresses SDG 2 by focusing on enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. The Daures Green Hydrogen Village project aims to produce the country’s “first carbon-free green fertiliser,” which directly supports sustainable farming practices. Furthermore, the project includes “training on horticulture and crop production” and the establishment of a “tomato paste processing plant to add value to local fresh produce,” all contributing to improved food production and security for the community.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The article connects to SDG 5 by highlighting its importance in the context of industrial development. It mentions that the upcoming Global Industry Summit will “address gender equality and the empowerment of women,” and will feature a “Women’s Empowerment Day – showcasing women’s leadership in shaping the future of industry.”

3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   This goal is central to the article. The project’s core mission is to “sustainably produce hydrogen and ammonia from renewable sources” and create an economy that can function “without fossil fuels.” The use of a “solar-powered tomato paste processing plant” is another concrete example of implementing clean energy solutions.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   SDG 8 is a key focus, as the project’s stated aim is to “create jobs without fossil fuels.” The article explicitly states that “More than 1,000 people are expected to benefit from sustainable jobs and food security” and that the processing plant will “create more local employment,” promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   The article is fundamentally about transforming industry for a sustainable future. It showcases UNIDO’s mission to achieve “inclusive and sustainable industrial development.” The Daures project itself is an innovative industrial model, building new infrastructure to “rethink industry for a low-carbon future” through the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

6. SDG 13: Climate Action

   The project described is a direct response to climate change. By aiming to “create jobs without fossil fuels,” producing “carbon-free green fertiliser,” and promoting a “low-carbon future,” the initiative actively works to combat climate change and its impacts.

7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   The article highlights the importance of collaboration. It describes UNIDO’s “Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry,” which helps countries like Costa Rica and Morocco, as an example of international cooperation. The upcoming “Global Industry Summit” is presented as a platform to foster “bold commitments and partnerships that can drive a fair global economy.”

Specific Targets Identified

• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.

  This target is addressed through the project’s plan to produce “carbon-free green fertiliser,” which is a key input for sustainable agriculture, and by providing “training on horticulture and crop production” to the local community.

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership.

  The planned “Women’s Empowerment Day” at the Global Industry Summit, which will showcase “women’s leadership in shaping the future of industry,” directly aligns with this target of promoting women’s leadership roles.

• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

  The Daures project is a direct implementation of this target, as it will “sustainably produce hydrogen and ammonia from renewable sources” and utilize a “solar-powered” processing plant.

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.

  The project aims to “create more local employment” and provide “sustainable jobs” for over 1,000 people, directly contributing to the goal of full and productive employment for the community.

• Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization.

  The article explicitly states that UNIDO’s mission is to champion “inclusive and sustainable industrial development.” The Daures project, designed to “benefit the whole community” while being environmentally sound, is a practical example of this target in action.

• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.

  The creation of the “Daures Green Hydrogen Village” represents the building of new, sustainable industrial infrastructure designed for a “low-carbon future,” directly aligning with the goal of upgrading and making industries sustainable.

• Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.

  UNIDO’s “Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry,” which supports various countries in the global south like Namibia, Costa Rica, and Morocco, is a clear example of international cooperation to share technology and innovation for sustainable development.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

• Indicator for SDG 8: Number of sustainable jobs created.

  The article provides a specific, quantifiable indicator by stating, “More than 1,000 people are expected to benefit from sustainable jobs.” This can be used to measure progress towards employment targets.

• Indicator for SDG 2: Number of people with enhanced food security.

  The article implies this indicator by mentioning that over 1,000 people will benefit from “food security.” Progress could be measured by tracking the food security status of the local population involved in or benefiting from the project.

• Indicator for SDG 7: Amount of carbon-free products produced.

  The project’s goal to “sustainably produce hydrogen and ammonia” and “carbon-free green fertiliser” implies that the volume of these products can be used as an indicator to measure the adoption and scale of clean energy and sustainable production.

• Indicator for SDG 9: Number of new sustainable industrial facilities established.

  The creation of the “Daures Green Hydrogen Village” and the “solar-powered tomato paste processing plant” are tangible examples that can be counted as indicators of progress in building sustainable industrial infrastructure.

Summary Table

Source: news.un.org