Solar energy-driven desalination: A renewable solution for climate change mitigation and advancing sustainable development goals

Solar-powered water desalination offers a sustainable solution to two of today's critical challenges: climate change and water scarcity. This review article critically examines various solar desalination technologies, focusing on technical complexities, environmental impacts, and practical challenges. The analysis highlights solar desalination's role in achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Climate Action (SDG 13). Additionally, the review examines economic and social benefits, highlighting how solar-powered desalination can contribute to resilient, sustainable communities worldwide. By exploring strategies to overcome environmental and technical barriers, this study provides a comprehensive perspective on integrating solar desalination technologies across diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts. This current work is focused on in-depth analysis, underlining the desalination powered by solar energy in the frame of possible solutions for developing resistant and durable communities and ecosystems. • Innovative solar-powered desalination for sustainable freshwater solutions. • Focus on integrating desalination with SDGs for global sustainability. • Critical analysis of solar desalination technologies and their challenges. • Strategies for climate mitigation via renewable desalination methods. • Economic, social, and environmental impacts of solar desalination.