Study unveiled at UNGA79 shows energy goals on the brink; lower income countries dangerously at risk of being left behind

With just five years to 2030, The SDG7 Backsliding study raises the alarm on the global energy goals under UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), highlighting that they are dangerously off track. The study aims to identify at risk countries and to mobilize the support they need to ensure no one is left behind.  

New York City - 23 September 2024: On the sidelines of the highly anticipated 79th UN General Assembly in New York, the findings of a new backsliding study on SDG7 progress – led by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) – focused on electricity and clean cooking access, renewable energy progress and efficiency improvements were announced.  

The study shows the world has collectively made progress towards SDG7, but the speed of action needed has significantly slowed down and the number of people without electricity access – equal to a population double the size of the United States – may stay the same by 2030 without urgent action.

This two steps forward, one step back pattern indicates an overall positive trend since 2014 but still falling short of the 2030 goal and ultimately breaching Paris-aligned pathways.

The study shows the following key findings for each component of SDG7:

• On universal electricity access, we are dangerously off-track, with anticipated population growth and resource constraints likely leaving a large number of  people, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa, without electricity beyond 2030. To achieve universal access, we need to provide electricity access annually to a population the size of UK and Germany combined, for eight years, which already takes us beyond 2030. 
   
• On access to clean cooking,  if we exclude progress made by three Asian countries – India, Indonesia and China – the number of people without clean cooking access in the rest of the world has increased since 2017. The story in Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly critical where only 5 of the 45 countries analyzed show strong progress, with 22 showing slow progress and the remaining 18 stalled or regressing. To achieve universal clean cooking, a population the size of the United States needs to have access to clean cooking annually until 2030.
   
• On renewable energy, progress has been skewed with wealthier countries on aggregate making greater progress than lower income and low energy consuming countries. Even then, the study identifies 15 wealthy countries excluding small island developing states with geographical limits, to have made no material change. To achieve net zero, we need to urge countries with more resources and capacity to ramp up progress in their countries while leading the global effort to ensure equal access to renewable energy for all.  
   
• On energy efficiency improvements, stronger actions are needed to reach the 2030 goal. The trends, as expressed by energy intensity of an economy, shows that both high and low energy intensity countries can attain greater efficiencies without sacrificing economic and social development.  To account for uneven development trajectories across countries, context-specific but holistic solutions with robust financing is critical.
   
• The energy transition presents an opportunity to balance the inequalities of existing energy systems. With increased access to technology, capacity and financing, developing and emerging countries have a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide ample new green jobs, develop domestic industries and create new renewable energy markets for investors.  

As the debates unfold in the UN corridors this month, world leaders also have an opportunity to correct course. They are being asked to double down, not back down on SDG7 and energy transitions.  

Specifically, leaders are asked to raise their ambition on a clean energy future by committing to a UN-backed Energy Compact – trackable and voluntary commitments on SDG7 and energy transitions. To date, 31 UN member states have committed to full Energy Compacts, with over USD 830 billion in financial commitments to SDG7 and just and equitable energy transitions.  

More information on the SDG7 Backsliding study can be found here.

Supporting Quotes

“While the findings are alarming, I hope that global leaders also see it as an opportunity to reset their 2030 ambitions. Institutions like the World Bank and the African Development Bank are leading on ambition with their Mission 300 initiative that aims to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030. They are setting the example by showing what is possible when we work together. At this critical juncture, we’re calling on other institutions to do the same.”    

Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All

ENDS

Media contact

Sherry Kennedy:  Sherry.Kennedy@SEforALL.org  |  +43 676 846 727 237

About Sustainable Energy for All

Sustainable Energy for All is an independent organization with a global mandate, working at the nexus of energy, climate, and development. We collaborate with governments and partners worldwide to end energy poverty and combat climate change.

Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance and faster results toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7)—access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030.

Find out more at www.seforall.org