Let’s Get Going

2016 was a pivotal year for sustainable energy. More than 160 countries have now publicly announced clean energy plans to be achieved between 2020 and 2030. Countries from Chile to the United Arab Emirates broke records with deals to generate electricity from sunshine for less than 3 cents a kilowatt-hour - half the average global cost of coal power. Fortune 500 companies are sourcing renewable energy at levels that did not seem conceivable just a few years ago. Pay-as-you-go solar companies – made possible by mobile phones – have become all the rage in Africa and are helping us to reach the ‘last mile’ first. And for the first time, clean energy investment in emerging nations eclipsed those in wealthier OECD countries. The Paris climate agreement came into force in record time. Through an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, 170 countries agreed to phase out HFCs, which could help us avoid 0.6°C of future warming by 2050 – and up to 1.5°C by end-of century – with even greater promise when linked to energy efficiency. And The Climate Vulnerable Forum – a coalition of 48 countries from Asia, Africa, Caribbean, the Pacific and South America – declared that they will “strive to meet 100% domestic renewable energy production as rapidly as possible while working to end energy poverty, protect water and food security, taking into consideration national circumstances.” These are just a few examples of the progress made last year. And while this is promising - it is only a start. To meet Goal 7 and the other Sustainable Development Goals – in the context of the ambition of the Paris Agreement – we need to drive an energy transition as an essential and leading component of the economic transformation that is the consequence of our collective agreements. And there is no time to lose. Sustainable Energy for All empowers leaders to broker partnerships and unlock finance to achieve universal access to sustainable energy as a contribution to a cleaner, just and prosperous world for all. We marshal evidence. We benchmark progress. We amplify the voices of our partners. We tell stories of success. We help leaders go further, faster – together. And in 2017, we will be working with our Partners to scale action on energy efficiency, renewables and energy access. Together, we are shifting from agreements to action. To celebrate this shift, we are unveiling a new identity that echoes both the original Sustainable Energy for All brand design and the Goal 7 iconography. The three swooshes from the original logo are now in full motion. Gyrating. Generating momentum. Tracing the outline of the sun. Including everyone. The new logo signifies not only a people-centered approach – with an emphasis on “FOR ALL” but also our determination to roll up our sleeves, work with our Partners to get Goal 7 done before 2030 – because we must leave no one behind. We look forward to working with you in 2017. We have much to do. Let’s get started.