GOAL 7: Affordable and clean energy

Learn more about SDG 7

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

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Lack of access to energy supplies and transformation systems is a constraint to human and economic development. The environment provides a series of renewable and non-renewable energy sources i.e. solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biofuels, natural gas, coal, petroleum, uranium. 

Increased use of fossil fuels without actions to mitigate greenhouse gases will have global climate change implications. Energy efficiency and increase use of renewables contribute to climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction. Maintaining and protecting ecosystems allow using and further developing hydropower sources of electricity and bioenergy.

Facts:

• 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating
• Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions
• Since 1990, global emissions of CO2 have increased by more than 46 per cent.
• Hydropower is the largest single renewable electricity source today, providing 16% of world electricity at competitive prices. It dominates the electricity mix in several countries, developed, emerging or developing.
• Bioenergy is the single largest renewable energy source today, providing 10% of world primary energy supply.

Targets linked to the environment:

• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• 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
• 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 land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

To learn more about UN Environment Programme’s contributions to SDG 7:

• SDG Issue Brief on Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All