In 2015, the United Nations released the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a set of 17 environmental and humanitarian priorities to be achieved by 2030. These include objectives such as ending hunger (SDG 1), achieving universal education (SDG 4), and fighting climate change (SDG 13).

Among these is SDG 7, which aims to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.” Energy is crucial, not in its own right, but for what it enables: lighting, cooking, clean water, agriculture, education, and more. Energy is foundational, and achieving SDG 7 would accelerate the other 16 SDGs too.

September 25, 2024 marks nine years since the SDGs were formally announced. With only six years left before the 2030 deadline, where are we on the path to achieving SDG 7?

Fast facts

SDG 7 consists of several different priorities related to energy access and renewable sources. The data so far show a mixed picture of progress made and work still to be done.

• Access to electricity: Close to 1 billion people still lack access to basic electricity in their homes, schools, hospitals, and other essential spaces.
  
  
• Clean cooking: 2.1 billion people lack access to clean cooking appliances, instead relying on dangerous and polluting fuel sources to cook meals.
  
  
• Renewable energy: 18.7 percent of our world’s energy comes from renewable sources.
  
  
• Financing: $15.4 USD billion in international funding flows to developing countries in support of clean energy projects.
  
  
• Geographic disparities: 93 countries have yet to achieve universal energy access, the majority of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Progress made on SDG 7

Progress has been made in the fight to achieve universal energy access. Between 2000 and 2021, the proportion of the population with access to electricity grew by 16 percent. This is the result of significant work on the part of countries, organizations, and individuals.

However, this growth hasn’t been linear. Between 2020 and 2022, population growth outpaced access gains, leaving 10 million more people without electricity in 2022 compared to 2021. There are multiple causes, including the global shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The resulting dip reveals that, despite an upward trend, this progress cannot be taken for granted.

Looking at the growth of renewables, we see encouraging signs. From 2015 to 2021, the use of renewable electricity increased by nearly 50 percent. This growth is driven mostly by solar and wind deployments. While only 18.7 percent of the world’s energy currently comes from renewable sources, new projects are coming online at an impressive rate.

Remaining challenges

Despite progress made, many deficits remain as far as universal energy access is concerned. Far too many people remain without electricity today, and the consequences are serious. Without modern energy, children can’t study at night, doctors can’t operate medical equipment, citizens can’t access information—the list goes on. All these things compound existing inequalities, meaning poor people stay poor and resources stay limited. 

Energy access often falls along geographic lines. Since 2010, 48 additional countries have achieved universal access to electricity, with Latin American and Caribbean nations representing the largest share. By contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most energy-poor region. Further distinctions emerge among the rural-urban divide. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, only 7 percent of rural households have access to clean cooking appliances, such as electric stoves, versus 40 percent in urban areas.

These disparities are also present when it comes to renewable energy access. In 2022, renewables-based generating capacity reached 1,073 watts per person in developed countries, but only 293 watts per capita in developing countries.

The path to universal energy access

Our world is currently off track for meeting the goals outlined in SDG 7. The good news: We have the solutions to get us over the finish line. Innovative technologies and strategies provide hope for an inclusive global energy transition. Solar minigrids, for example, have proven to be an effective solution for affordable, reliable, and clean energy access. But to implement these solutions on a wide scale, we need supportive policies, partnerships, and financing.

With rising climate change, and a growing population, our world must massively scale up our renewable energy infrastructure. All countries have a responsibility to do so. And—with support from the global community—energy-poor nations have a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional fossil fuel grid systems in favor of clean, modern alternatives.

By working across public and private sectors, and across nations and organizations—and by acknowledging the vital importance of energy access—we can achieve SDG 7 and create a brighter future for all.

Read more in Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report.

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