SDG #7: Affordable & Clean Energy

SDG #7 - AFFORDABLE & CLEAN ENERGY

Overview

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today, and yet progress in every area of sustainable energy falls short of what is needed to meet targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Universal access to energy, increased energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable energy through new economic and job opportunities create sustainable and inclusive communities and resilience to the climate crisis.

Approximately 3 billion people lack access to clean-cooking solutions, which expose them to dangerous levels of air pollution. At the same time, nearly 1 billion people live without electricity, 50 per cent of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of renewable electricity – hydro, solar, wind – is climbing, but meaningful improvements require higher levels of financing and bolder policy commitments with the willingness to increase investments and embrace new technologies to transform the world’s energy systems.

Global Access To Electricity & Clean Fuels For Cooking

Globally, 87 per cent of the population had access to electricity in 2016. Rural area achieved substantial gains in access rates due to an upswing in off-grid solar electricity, but 1.06 billion people, predominantly rural dwellers, still function without electricity. Half of those people live in sub-Saharan Africa, and many in Southern Asia.

Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking climbed to 57.4 per cent in 2014. The health and well-being of some 3 billion people – mostly women and children- are adversely impacted by the lack of clean cooking fuels. Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and many parts of Asia have the largest populations using polluting fuels, for a total of more than 3 billion without clean fuels and efficient technologies.

Faster Uptake of Renewable Energy is Needed

Renewable energy consumption increased modestly from 2014 to 2015, by 0.2 per cent. Despite rapid growth in recent years, only 55 per cent of the 17.5 per cent of renewable final energy consumption share was derived from “modern” forms – wind, solar, water. The remaining 45 per cent represents traditional uses of biomass, mostly fuelwood and charcoal for polluting cookstoves. The adoption rate of renewable energy needs to increase significantly – particularly in the heat and transportation sectors – if we are to meet the 2030 target; based on the current trend, the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption will be just 21 per cent by this date.

Energy Intensity Metrics

Low-and middle-income countries are seeing the fastest declines in energy intensity, and high-income countries, while achieving consistent declines since 1990, are moving much more slowly. From 2012 to 2014, three quarters of the world’s 20 largest energy-consuming countries had reduced their energy intensity — the ratio of energy used per unit of GDP. The reduction was driven mainly by greater efficiencies in the industry and transport sectors. However, that progress is still not sufficient to meet the target of doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

SDG MEDIA ZONE

Energy And Global Development

Energy is central to powering our economies to empowering women, from alleviating poverty, to stopping climate change. Together, we can address these challenges by increasing energy access for billions while also building an infrastructure that is more efficient and sustainable.

A Global Agenda For Accelerated Action

Access to clean and affordable energy is an enabler for every single SDG. A 2018 publication by 50 authoritative agencies, including UN DESA, proposes a Global Agenda for Accelerated Action on Sustainable Energy.

Distributed Energy In Rural Communities

Information and communication technologies accelerate progress towards each SDG. Providing access to energy in remote areas has been a challenge in the past, but now solar panels offer a clean and mobile solution for communities in areas far from energy grids.

BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR SDG #7

The energy sector needs private sector investment to help accelerate the transition to an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system. By prioritizing energy efficient practices and adopting clean energy technologies and infrastructure, businesses can set a precedent and become industry leaders.

Investments and commitments to renewable energy sources, however, is not enough. Research and development and technological innovation is essential to progress in this Goal, and businesses can pioneer new technologies that can transform the global energy system, and become the center of climate crisis solutions.

GRI, UNGC Release 'Practical Guide' for Companies to Report Their Impact on the SDGs

Many companies already act and report on climate change, water management and labor conditions. This guide can help companies take stock of their current actions and discover additional priorities to contribute to achieving the SDGs (read more).

KPMG: How to Report on the SDGs & Global Goals

4 in 10 of the world’s largest companies already reference the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their corporate reporting, suggesting that business interest in the SDGs has grown quickly since their launch in September 2015 (read more).

Project Breakthrough: Growing The Businesses of Tomorrow

If we are going to achieve a sustainable future, as outlined by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the role of business will be critical. In fact, if viewed in the right way, achieving the SDGs presents huge market opportunities for businesses (read more).

AWARD QUESTIONS FOR SDG #7

1) Media Package

Program Photographs & Illustrations (Max. 10 Images)
Detailed Project Description (Max. 500 Words)
Optional: URL/Link to Supporting Video

2) Financial & Strategic

In order to determine financial performance & potential for scalability, please answer the following questions:

Please describe how the SDG business initiative is linked to your company’s core competency/competencies.
Please provide an overview of the business case associated with your SDG business initiative.
Please provide evidence of planned program expansion over the coming quarters and/or fiscal years.

3) Magnetism & Inspiration

How has your business initiative been a source of magnetism and inspiration? Please provide examples of your company’s influence on each of the following:

Industry Impact
Corporate Culture
Key Stakeholder Groups

4) SDG Impact Metrics

What progress has your organization made towards achieving SDG #7? Please select and provide one (or more) supporting metrics to help evaluate your social and environmental impacts (see below for a list of possible options to select from).

Please describe how has your company has:

Increased access to clean and/or renewable electricity (i.e. – average increase in kWh consumption by target population & increase in # of households or locations with access to electricity).
Increased primary reliance on renewable energy sources for key target populations (% of electricity from renewable sources vs. total energy consumption including fossil fuels).
Increased the total number # of corporate clients who have achieve renewable energy consumption commitments through either: a) improved technology, b) innovative financial products, or c) strategic partnerships (by total kWh, # of clients, and $ cost savings).
Other KPI (please insert and describe).

OPTIONAL: Please provide a description/overview of 3rd party assurances relating to the verification of the metrics and figures provided above.

EXPLORE THE GLOBAL GOALS