Billions Still Lack Clean Energy as SDG 7 Targets Risk Being Missed: Report
A recent international report on sustainable energy progress reveals that the world is significantly off track in achieving universal energy access by 2030. Major disparities between regions and persistent financing gaps continue to hinder development efforts.
Current State of Energy Access
According to the Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report, approximately 655 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity. Additionally, around two billion individuals rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, which exposes them to severe health risks. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region, with over 560 million people without electricity and 970 million lacking clean cooking solutions.
The report indicates that while many regions are nearing universal energy access, progress in Sub-Saharan Africa has significantly slowed. It warns that the pace of electrification must triple to meet the 2030 target, especially in rural areas where the access gap continues to widen.
Progress Amid Challenges
Despite these challenges, the report highlights some positive developments in the global energy transition. Renewable energy now constitutes over 30% of global electricity consumption, supported by a record-installed capacity of 544 watts per person. International public financial flows for clean energy in developing countries increased slightly to $24.6 billion in 2024, although this funding remains inadequate.
Energy efficiency has also improved, reaching 3.76 megajoules per US dollar, but the pace is still insufficient to meet global targets. The report emphasizes that without urgent and scaled-up action, the world will fall short of Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Barriers to Access and Health Risks
Affordability remains a significant barrier, even where energy infrastructure exists. Many households struggle to cover connection costs or basic energy services. The report underscores the need for targeted subsidies, innovative financing models, and least-cost electrification strategies to expand access.
Clean cooking remains the largest energy gap, affecting around two billion people globally. Rural populations are disproportionately impacted, with only 56% having access compared to 89% in urban areas. Without stronger intervention, an estimated 1.8 billion people may still rely on polluting fuels by 2030, contributing to approximately three million premature deaths annually due to household air pollution.
Disparities in Renewable Energy
The report also highlights stark disparities in renewable energy access. Low-income countries average just 33.6 watts of renewable capacity per person, compared to 1,224 watts in high-income countries. Progress on energy efficiency is slowing, and international financial flows to least developed countries fell to $3.7 billion in 2024.
The report calls for stronger political leadership, improved coordination, and increased investment to accelerate clean energy deployment and ensure no region is left behind in the global energy transition.
Expert Insights
Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, emphasized the importance of clean cooking and electricity access. He noted that since 2010, 1.5 billion people have gained access to clean cooking and 800 million to electricity, demonstrating that progress is achievable with the right policies. The IEA is collaborating with governments, industry, and international partners to accelerate investments and policy actions needed for universal access, particularly for clean cooking.
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, pointed out that countries with robust renewable energy capacity are better positioned to withstand economic and supply disruptions. He stressed the need for the international community to prioritize affordable financial support, especially for least developed countries facing the greatest barriers to access.
Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs at the United Nations, acknowledged the encouraging progress in expanding access to affordable and clean energy. However, he noted that millions still lack access, highlighting the need for substantial scaling-up of international support and investment to meet the ambitions of Sustainable Development Goal 7.
Valerie Levkov, Vice President for Infrastructure at the World Bank Group, stated that energy security and affordability are global priorities that will remain challenges for years. She emphasized the necessity of mobilizing greater private sector investment to deliver reliable and affordable energy to those in need.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, remarked that universal access to clean energy is not just an energy challenge but a fundamental health imperative. He highlighted the severe health impacts of household air pollution from cooking fuels, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-06-25 07:21:00 • By the Editorial Desk
