Tracking SDG 7: Progress towards achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

This year's Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report, shows, that significant progress had been made towards achieving the SDG 7 before the COVID-19 crisis.  The number of people worldwide lacking access to electricity fell- from 1.2 billion in 2010 to 789 million in 2018 – and there has been a strong uptake of renewable energy for electricity generation, improvements in energy efficiency and expanded access to clean cooking solutions.

Despite this progress, global efforts remain insufficient to reach the key targets of SDG 7 by 2030 and the effects of the COVID-19 crisis threaten to further derail advances at a time when action is more urgent than ever to scale-up sustainable energy solutions for COVID-19 immediate response and a sustainable recovery. Accelerating the pace of progress in all regions and sectors will require stronger political commitment, holistic policy frameworks, increased public and private financing as well as international cooperation.

The Tracking SDG 7 report provides the most comprehensive overview on progress towards SDG 7 targets and intends to guide policy making and inform the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s annual review at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) which this side-event is part of.

About the side-event

Following the high-level global launch of the Tracking SDG 7 report on 4 June, this HLPF side-event aimed for a more in-depth discussion on the data and findings of the report to be presented by the five Custodians agencies – IEA, IRENA, UNSD, World Bank and WHO. It further focused on national and international measures needed to safeguard the gains already attained to achieve SDG 7 while accelerating efforts in the post-COVID-19 world. Country representatives were invited to comment on the report and present their plans/response measures and needs in terms of international collaboration and support to achieve SDG 7 during the coming decade of action.

See the concept note, agenda, and presentation deck.

For questions please contact: Emma Åberg eaberg@irena.org, or Sofja Giljova sgiljova@irena.org