Advancing Sustainable Development Through Energy Efficiency: A Story from Stepanavan

September 9, 2025

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to create a world where everyone has access to basic needs, a safe home, and a sustainable future. A key way to achieve these goals is through energy efficiency, which can help reduce costs, protect the environment, and improve quality of life. Energy-efficient homes contribute to goals like Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

In Armenia, a project led by the UNDP, the Green Climate Fund, and the Armenian government is working to improve energy efficiency in towns like Stepanavan. By upgrading buildings, the project helps lower energy use, reduce emissions, cut costs, and enhance the quality of life, contributing to a more sustainable future and supporting Climate Action (SDG 13).

Shushanik, a resident of Stepanavan and a mother of three benefits from this project. She and her husband are raising three daughters, which brings financial challenges, especially during the cold winter months. Her building is one of nine in Stepanavan selected for energy-efficient retrofits. Now, with lower heating costs, the family can better manage their budget, making their lives easier during the harsh winters.

“We’ve been living here for 15 years, and for the first time, our apartment is warm without any heating turned on,” Shushanik says. “Everyone in the building is happy, and we now have a warm, modern building that has improved our quality of life.”

The upgrades in Shushanik’s building included adding insulation, replacing old windows and doors with energy-efficient ones, and installing modern LED lights. These changes have reduced energy consumption and created a more comfortable living space, supporting Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

“I’ve noticed that our bills have significantly reduced,” Shushanik shares. “Before, we heated every room with separate electric heaters, but now the apartment stays warm. I don’t have to worry about my kids being cold.”

Mekhak Yegiazaryan, a 66-year-old pensioner, also benefited from the energy-efficient upgrades. He says the changes have made a big difference in reducing their heating bills and improving their living conditions.

“I live here with my wife and my son’s family. Our apartment is wonderfully warm after the upgrades. We now pay around AMD 20,000 (around $50) less for heating, which makes a big difference. We also had mold in the building for years, but it’s finally gone thanks to the improvements.”

These changes are helping residents like Shushanik and Mekhak move closer to a sustainable, healthy lifestyle—a cornerstone of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

However, energy efficiency is just one of many ways to improve life in Armenia’s regions, where access to basic services and quality living conditions often remains a challenge. Through these building upgrades, the project is contributing directly to the achievement of several SDGs by providing better housing, reducing energy costs, and improving overall well-being.

Residents of neighboring buildings are eager to see similar changes in their own homes. Nazik Hovhannisyan, who lives in a nearby building, shares that the winters are difficult for her family, as keeping the apartment warm is expensive.

“Our buildings are cold. We’ve lived here for 14 years, and it’s always chilly since we don’t get much sunlight. We pay up to 70,000 AMD (around $180) for heating in the winter, which is a lot. My neighbors and I hope our building will be retrofitted soon,” Nazik says.

This initiative, made possible through the UNDP, the Armenian government, and the Stepanavan community, is helping provide energy-efficient upgrades to buildings across Armenia. By improving energy efficiency, the project helps advance several SDGs, such as Reduced Inequality (SDG 10), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), creating a better, more sustainable future for all.