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Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Targets

Indicators

Target

7.1

By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

Indicators

7.1.1

Proportion of population with access to electricity 

7.1.2

Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology 

Target

7.2

By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

Indicators

7.2.1

Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption 

Target

7.3

By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Indicators

7.3.1

Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP 

Target

7.a

By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

Indicators

7.a.1

International financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy research and development and renewable energy production, including in hybrid systems 

Target

7.b

By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

Indicators

7.b.1

Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing countries (in watts per capita) 

  1. Boosting technology transfer to support the SDGs in LDCs

    Economic developmentGlobal

    The world’s poorest countries have most to gain from tech like AI that can rapidly accelerate SDG action, but are often the least able to utilize such innovations. We need a global, cooperative effort to ensure that the technical tools and skills that humankind has developed are available to all

  2. Why do governments continue to subsidize fossil fuels, undermining their own climate goals?

    EnergyGlobal

    Each year, trillions of dollars are poured into harmful fossil fuel subsidies or tax breaks that undermine our progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shifting these funds to fuel the clean energy transition would accelerate access to basic energy services, improve public health, and put the world on a safer climate trajectory

  3. Unlocking the potential of blended finance

    FinancingGlobal

    With the right conditions, blended finance – combining public and private financing to incentivize increased investment from new sources – could bridge the funding gaps necessary to achieve the SDGs. How can we realize this huge investment potential before it’s too late?

  4. Learning from climate finance

    FinancingGlobal

    Progress on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been significant but uneven. If we want to accelerate delivery, we need to apply the lessons learned from climate finance

  5. The lack of gender targets for clean energy is harming women and girls

    GenderGlobal

    Gender inequalities in energy access are substantial but largely unmeasured. SDG 7 – affordable and clean energy – is one of six SDGs without gender-specific indicators. Clean and safe energy is a prerequisite for achieving all the social and economic SDGs, and SDG 5 – gender equality – will only be achieved if a more targeted approach is adopted on energy

  6. Ideas into action

    ClimateGlobal

    At this mid-point to the 2030 deadline, it’s clear that action must ramp up massively if the SDGs are to be realized and climate catastrophe averted. Initiatives such as the UN SDSN Global Climate Hub can help get governments back on track

  7. Engineering challenges: technological missing links in climate action

    ClimateGlobal

    As the IEA warns, most of the reductions in emissions needed to achieve net zero rely on technology that is not yet commercially mature. While tech will provide no magic bullet, its rapid development to scale up decarbonization is essential. What are the technological gaps we must focus on filling now?

  8. A warmer world: are we ready?

    ClimateGlobal

    Even the most optimistic predictions show a significantly warmer planet by 2100. Rather than focusing on quick adaptive fixes, as many current plans do, countries must pursue climate-resilient development strategies that address the systemic nature of the climate crisis