A new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), World Bank, and World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a concerning increase in the global energy access gap. In 2022, 685 million people were living without electricity, marking the first rise in over a decade. Additionally, 2.1 billion people continue to rely on harmful cooking fuels, undermining progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7.
SDG 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. This includes universal access to electricity and clean cooking, doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements, and significantly increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix. Achieving this goal is crucial for improving health, reducing environmental risks, and expanding access to essential services.
The 2024 edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report warns that current efforts are insufficient to meet these targets. While there has been some progress, such as increased deployment of renewables in the power sector, it falls short of the levels needed.
The report notes that population growth, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, outpaced new electricity connections, resulting in 10 million more people without access in 2022 compared to 2021. Factors contributing to this setback include the global energy crisis, inflation, rising debt in low-income countries, and geopolitical tensions. Despite these challenges, decentralised energy solutions based on renewable energy are showing promise, especially in rural areas where 80% of those without access live.
Additionally, the report highlights the persistent issue of 2.1 billion people lacking access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. This situation causes significant health, gender equality, and environmental issues, leading to 3.2 million premature deaths annually. Recent political momentum and financial commitments, such as those made at the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, offer hope for future progress.
Other findings from the report include:
- Renewable electricity consumption grew by over 6% in 2021, reaching 28.2% of global electricity consumption.
- Installed renewable energy-generating capacity hit a record high in 2022, but disparities remain, with developed countries having 3.7 times more capacity per capita than developing countries.
- Energy efficiency improvements showed a slight increase in 2021, but progress remains below the required level to meet SDG 7 targets.
- International public financial flows for clean energy in developing countries rebounded to USD 15.4 billion in 2022, still significantly lower than the 2016 peak of USD 28.5 billion.
By 2030, it is projected that 660 million people will still lack electricity access and around 1.8 billion will be without clean cooking technologies and fuels unless urgent action is taken.
Quotes from Key Figures:
Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency: “Achieving SDG 7 requires significantly more investment in emerging and developing economies to expand access to electricity and clean cooking technologies. Addressing these challenges will bring a range of societal and economic advantages, including gender equality, health, education, and employment.”
Francesco La Camera, Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency: “Renewables are crucial for increasing energy access, but distribution disparity remains stark. There must be a strong sense of urgency from the international community to accelerate investments in renewable infrastructures and sustainable technologies, focusing on the least developed economies.”
Stefan Schweinfest, Director, United Nations Statistics Division: “Access to electricity and clean cooking has advanced, but now the most accessible solutions have been exhausted. More focused policies and investment are essential to ensure sustainable energy for all by 2030.”
Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank: “Electricity access is essential for development. Solutions like solar mini grids and solar home systems can reverse the negative trend. The World Bank is committed to providing electricity to an additional 300 million people by 2030.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization: “Transitioning to clean energy and cooking technologies is crucial for protecting health and the planet. Addressing energy poverty and air pollution is essential for development and well-being.”
The report will be presented to top decision-makers at a special launch event on July 15 at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, urging the international community to refocus efforts on closing the energy access gap.
