Abu Dhabi, May 22, 2019 – Despite significant progress in recent years, the world is falling short of meeting the global energy targets. Based upon targets set in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for global energy targets by 2030. Targets for affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. All based on global energy targets of renewable energy for all by 2030. This goal will require more sustained efforts. Problem is that it’s particularly to reach some of the world’s poorest populations and to improve energy sustainability.

All according to a new report produced by:

the International Energy Agency (IEA)
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
World Bank
and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Notable progress has been made on energy access in recent years, with the number of people living without electricity dropping to roughly 840 million from 1 billion in 2016 and 1.2 billion in 2010. India, Bangladesh, Kenya and Myanmar are among countries that made the most progress since 2010. However, without more sustained and stepped-up actions, 650 million people will still be left out. That’s consequently without access to electricity in 2030. So, 9 out of 10 of them live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report also as a result shows that great efforts have been made to deploy renewable energy technology for electricity generation. All to meet global energy targets. As well as improving energy efficiency across the world. Nonetheless, access to clean cooking solutions with renewable energy in heat generation and transport. Because all are still lagging. Lagging so far behind the goals. That’s why maintaining and extending the pace of progress in all regions and sectors will require stronger political commitment. In addition long-term energy planning. Plus increased private financing and also adequate policy. It’s because we need Policy with fiscal incentives to spur faster deployment of new technologies.

The report tracks global, regional and country progress on the three targets of SDG7: access to energy and clean cooking, renewable energy and energy efficiency. It identifies priorities for action and best practices that have proven successful in helping policymakers and development partners understand what is needed to overcome challenges. So here are the key highlights for each target. Findings are based on official national-level data and measure global progress through 2017.

Access to electricity:

Following a decade of steady progress, the global electrification rate reached 89 percent and 153 million people. All gained access to electricity each year. However, the biggest challenge remains in the most remote areas globally and in sub-Saharan Africa. That’s where 573 million people still live in the dark. So to connect the poorest and hardest to reach households it’s therefore all of the above strategy. Finally, that’s off-grid solutions, including solar lighting, solar home systems, and increasingly mini grids are crucial. Globally, at least 34 million people in 2017 gained access to basic electricity services. They did through off-grid technologies. The report also reinforces the importance of reliability and affordability. All for sustainable energy access.

Clean cooking:

Almost three billion people remain without access to clean cooking in 2017. All residing in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of clean cooking access poses serious health and socioeconomic concerns. Under current and planned policies, the number of people without access will be 2.2 billion in 2030. All consequently with significant impacts on health, environment, and gender equality.

Renewables accounted for 17.5% of global total energy consumption in 2016 versus 16.6% in 2010. Renewables have been increasing rapidly in electricity generation but have made less headway into energy consumption for heat and transport. A substantial increase of renewable energy is needed. Needed for energy systems to become affordable, reliable and sustainable, focusing on modern uses. Therefore and as renewables become mainstream, policies need to cover the integration of renewables into the broader energy system. As well take into account the socio-economic impacts. In conclusion, the Impacts affecting sustainability and pace to meet global energy targets.

So improvements have been more sustained in recent years. All thanks to concerted policy efforts in large economies to meet global energy targets. However, globally the rate of primary renewable energy intensity improvement still lags behind. Finally, there has been a significant slowdown in 2017 and 2018. So we need more strengthening mandatory energy efficiency policies. Policies providing global energy targets which are fiscal or financial incentives. As well as leveraging market-based mechanisms, providing high-quality information about energy efficiency. That’s because it will be central to meet the goal.

In conclusion, it is the fourth edition of this report. It was also formerly known as the Global Tracking Framework (GTF). All to track global energy targets. This year’s edition was chaired by the International Energy Agency.

Finally, the report can be downloaded at http://trackingSDG7.esmap.org/