Local companies and Avista is giving away 1,000 energy-saving kits – KREM

Report on Energy Efficiency Kits and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Initiative Overview

As of October 20, 2025, an initiative is underway to provide energy efficiency kits to households. The primary objective of these kits is to lower residential energy consumption, thereby reducing utility costs and promoting sustainable energy use.

2.0 Kit Composition and Purpose

The kits are composed of materials specifically selected to enhance home energy efficiency. The contents include:

• LED bulbs: These high-efficiency bulbs replace traditional incandescent lighting to reduce electricity consumption.
• Window plastic: This material is applied over windows to create an insulating barrier, minimizing heat loss.
• Weather stripping: Used to seal air leaks around doors and windows, preventing drafts and reducing the energy required for heating and cooling.

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative directly supports the advancement of several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on energy conservation and economic relief.

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   The kits directly address Target 7.3 by promoting energy efficiency. By providing tools that lower household energy consumption, the initiative also supports Target 7.1, which aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   Improving the energy efficiency of housing stock contributes to making cities and human settlements more sustainable (Target 11.6). Energy-efficient homes are a cornerstone of sustainable urban development and resilience.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   By reducing household energy demand, the kits contribute to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions associated with power generation. This is a direct action to combat climate change and its impacts, aligning with Target 13.2 to integrate climate change measures into national policies and strategies.

4. SDG 1: No Poverty

   Lowering energy costs provides direct financial relief to households, particularly those with low or fixed incomes. This contributes to Target 1.4 by ensuring that all people have access to basic services and increased economic resilience.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

The article, though brief, touches upon several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals by describing kits designed to lower energy costs through efficiency measures.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The primary focus is on making energy more affordable by reducing consumption.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The measures contribute to more affordable and sustainable housing.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Reducing energy consumption through efficiency is a key strategy for mitigating climate change.

Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s description of the kits, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article directly addresses the “affordable” aspect by mentioning that the kits are intended to “lower energy costs.”
   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The items in the kits—LED bulbs, window plastic, and weather stripping—are all tools for improving energy efficiency in homes.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. Lowering energy costs makes housing more affordable by reducing utility bills, which are a significant part of household expenses.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The distribution of energy-saving kits represents a practical, localized measure that aligns with broader climate action strategies focused on reducing energy demand and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several ways to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):

  • Implied Indicator for Target 7.1: Reduction in household energy expenditure. The success of the kits can be measured by the average monetary savings on energy bills for households that use them.
  • Implied Indicator for Target 7.3: Level of adoption of energy-efficient technologies. This could be measured by the number of kits distributed or the number of households that have installed items like LED bulbs and weather stripping.

• For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):

  • Implied Indicator for Target 11.1: Proportion of household income spent on utilities. A decrease in this proportion for households using the kits would indicate progress towards more affordable housing.

• For SDG 13 (Climate Action):

  • Implied Indicator for Target 13.2: Estimated reduction in energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions. The impact of the kits can be quantified by calculating the energy savings from switching to LED bulbs and improving insulation, and then translating that into a reduction in carbon emissions.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: krem.com