Global Energy Access Challenges: Reversal In Progress Threatens SDG 7 Goals

A recent collaborative report involving the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), World Bank, and World Health Organization (WHO) highlights concerning setbacks in global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) by 2030. SDG 7 aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, including electricity and clean cooking solutions.

According to the report released in 2024, there has been a disturbing reversal in progress towards SDG 7, marking the first increase in the number of people without electricity access in over a decade. In 2022, approximately 685 million individuals lacked access to electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the most significant disparities. The region alone accounts for over 570 million people living without electricity, underscoring a widening access gap despite global efforts.

Moreover, the report highlights that 2.1 billion people worldwide still rely on polluting cooking fuels and technologies, a number that has remained stagnant over recent years. This reliance not only perpetuates health risks but also contributes to gender inequality and environmental degradation, resulting in approximately 3.2 million premature deaths annually due to household air pollution.

Despite these setbacks, the report acknowledges some positive developments. Renewable energy deployment in the electricity sector has shown growth, with renewable sources accounting for 28.2% of global electricity consumption in recent years. However, disparities persist, with developed countries significantly outpacing developing nations in renewable energy infrastructure.

Efforts to improve energy efficiency have also seen incremental progress, although not at a pace sufficient to meet SDG 7 targets. The international community has pledged new targets to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency rates, signaling a renewed commitment to sustainable energy practices.

Financial support for clean energy initiatives in developing countries saw a slight rebound in 2022, reaching USD 15.4 billion. However, this figure remains far below the peak levels observed in previous years, indicating a need for increased investment to bridge the access gap effectively.

The report concludes with urgent calls for enhanced global cooperation and investment in sustainable energy solutions, particularly in underserved regions. Leaders from various international organizations emphasized the critical importance of accelerating efforts to meet SDG 7 targets, highlighting the broader benefits to health, education, gender equality, and economic development that such advancements would bring.

The findings of this comprehensive report will be presented at the upcoming High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The international community is urged to prioritize and mobilize resources towards achieving universal access to electricity and clean cooking technologies by 2030, underscoring the pressing need for concerted action to mitigate the growing energy access disparities worldwide.