World not on track to meet SDG 7 on energy access by 2030, warns new report

The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) have jointly published a report highlighting that the world is still far from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) on energy by 2030.

SDG 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, including universal access to electricity and clean cooking, and increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the global energy mix. The report, entitled “Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2024,” highlights key challenges and trends in global energy access and sustainable development.

Despite some progress in renewable energy deployment, the report warns that current efforts are insufficient. Key findings include a reversal in progress in access to electricity, with 685 million people now living without electricity — 10 million more than in 2021. Most of these people live in sub-Saharan Africa, where population growth is outpacing the growth of new electricity connections.

When it comes to clean cooking, 2.1 billion people still lack access to clean fuels and cooking technologies, a number that remains unchanged despite global efforts. This lack contributes significantly to health problems, gender inequality and environmental degradation, causing 3.2 million premature deaths per year.

On the positive side, renewable energy consumption increased by more than 6% in 2021, marking progress in the transition to cleaner energy sources. However, disparities persist, with developed countries having significantly higher energy capacity per capita compared to developing countries.

The report also highlights the slow pace of energy efficiency improvements, which are key to achieving SDG 7 targets. While there was a slight improvement in energy intensity in 2021, it is still well below what is required.

International finance flows for clean energy in developing countries rebounded in 2022, reaching $15.4 billion, but this is far from the peak levels needed to accelerate progress. The report highlights the urgent need to increase investment in renewable infrastructure and sustainable technologies, particularly in underserved regions.

The report’s findings will be presented at the High-Level Political Summit on Sustainable Development on 15 July, and world leaders will be called upon to prioritise and accelerate action to ensure universal energy access and sustainability by 2030.

Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, highlighted the critical need for immediate and coordinated global efforts, stating: “We are in a race against time to achieve SDG 7. The disparity in renewable energy investments underlines the urgent need to focus on the least developed and developing economies, ensuring that no one is left behind in the sustainable energy transition.”

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