SEforALL launches global campaign calling on citizens, leaders to Be Bold for SDG7
VIENNA, 16 March 2021 - The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to push up to 150 million people into extreme poverty by the end of 2021. Meanwhile, a climate emergency is already upon us and we need urgent action to curb climate change.
Affordable and clean energy for all can help us solve these global crises.
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has launched a new, year-long campaign called Be Bold to drive ambitious action towards Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030.
SEforALL launched the campaign recognizing that 2021 is a pivotal year for the clean energy transition given the need for COVID-19 recovery and with two major opportunities for change happening later this year: the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy and COP26.
Be Bold is about giving everyone – governments, businesses, development and financial institutions, and everyday citizens – a set of actions to help realize affordable and clean energy for all.
This “whole of the world” approach is itself bold. By broadening the SDG7 movement, the campaign strives to bring previously unheard voices into the discussion around energy as the foundation for achieving other global goals, including the other SDGs and the Paris Agreement targets. A clean energy transition that ensures sufficient access to energy for all is essential to economic recovery from COVID-19 and net zero by 2050.
Be Bold asks citizens who support the clean energy transition to become members of the SDG7 movement through a new dedicated Be Bold website. These members will be engaged throughout the year with shareable, digital content they can use to attract others to the movement, building a critical mass of SDG7 supporters that will help advocate for action from decision-makers.
Importantly, Be Bold will promote the same actions sought by the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy. Specifically, Be Bold will call on businesses, governments and other organizations to make commitments through the Dialogue’s Energy Compacts. These Energy Compacts will specify SDG7-related commitments and actions and account for their impact on other SDGs and Nationally Determined Contributions towards achieving the Paris Agreement.
“During such a critical year for the energy transition, we need bold action to ensure we leave no one behind. From powering health clinics to creating new jobs, energy is at the heart of a prosperous future for all,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.
“The Be Bold campaign highlights the critical role that access to clean and affordable energy plays in achieving climate action and other global goals. The campaign will attract global citizens, companies, development institutions, governments and many others to become part of the SDG7 movement, whose collective voice will help raise ambition and secure new commitments for the High-level Dialogue on Energy and COP26.”
Be Bold kicks off on 16 March with a 24-hour digital launch, with videos from SDG7 supporters around the world streamed online throughout the day. A special, online event (4-6 pm CET) will introduce global audiences to the campaign and feature a musical performance by Kenyan musician Eric Wainaina.
The launch will also feature talks and video messages from:
- H.E António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations
- H.E. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Nigeria
- H.E. Mary Robinson, Chair of the Elders, Former President of Ireland, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme
- Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation
- Mark Carrato, Power Africa Coordinator
- Francesco Starace, Chairman of SEforALL Administrative Board
- Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy
- Mitzi Jonelle Chan, Climate Activist
A feature of the campaign throughout 2021 will be a video interview series called Bold Conversations, where global leaders from business and government will share their visions and actions towards achieving SDG7.
Those interested in joining the SDG7 movement can sign-up through the Be Bold campaign website.
Be Bold was developed by SEforALL with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation.
Spread the word and follow along using #SDG7BeBold.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Contact
For any interview requests, please contact: Beth Woodthorpe-Evans, Sustainable Energy for All: Beth.Woodthorpe-Evans@SEforALL.org | +1 202 390 1042
About Sustainable Energy for All
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 – in line with the Paris Agreement on climate. SEforALL works to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunities for everyone to fulfill their potential.
SEforALL is led by Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. Follow her on Twitter @DamilolaSDG7. For more information, follow @SEforALLorg.