Powering a Sustainable Future: The Global Race for Affordable and Clean Energy
March 2025
Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): Affordable and Clean Energy aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. As the backbone of development, energy impacts everything—from health and education to economic growth and climate action. But in 2025, while the clean energy transition is accelerating, deep disparities still remain.
Global Progress: A Mixed Energy Landscape
The good news is that the world is witnessing unprecedented growth in renewable energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewables accounted for over 80% of new power capacity in 2024, with solar and wind leading the way. Prices for solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles have reached historic lows, making clean energy more accessible than ever.
Yet, despite these advances, 733 million people—primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa—still live without electricity, and 2.3 billion people lack access to clean cooking solutions, often relying on wood, charcoal, or animal waste. This results in harmful indoor air pollution, especially impacting women and children.
“Energy poverty is holding back human potential,” said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA. “Access to clean energy is not a luxury. It’s a right, and it’s essential for equitable development.”
Energy Access and Inequality
Electricity access is directly linked to opportunities. Children can study at night, health clinics can store vaccines, and small businesses can thrive. Without it, progress on other SDGs—like education, gender equality, and economic growth—slows down significantly.
In rural areas, off-grid and mini-grid solutions powered by solar are emerging as game-changers. In countries like Kenya, India, and Nepal, decentralized renewable energy systems are lighting up remote villages where grid expansion is too expensive or slow.
Public-private partnerships, such as Power Africa and The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, are driving scalable solutions in underserved regions.
Clean Cooking: The Hidden Energy Crisis
While electricity grabs headlines, clean cooking is the silent emergency. Nearly one-third of the global population still cooks using open fires or inefficient stoves. This contributes to over 3.2 million premature deaths each year due to indoor air pollution.
Efforts to provide LPG, electric stoves, biogas, and improved cookstoves are gaining momentum. In countries like Ghana and Indonesia, national clean cooking plans are being integrated into climate and health policies—reflecting the cross-cutting nature of energy solutions.
Energy and Climate: A Delicate Balance
Energy production remains the largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting from fossil fuels to clean alternatives is crucial for achieving net zero and limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
While over 140 countries have committed to net-zero emissions, many still subsidize coal, oil, and gas—hindering progress. At the same time, the demand for energy continues to grow, especially in rapidly developing economies.
Innovations like green hydrogen, next-gen battery storage, and smart grids are showing promise. However, financing and political will remain critical to scaling these technologies fairly and fast enough.
Affordability and Just Transition
Ensuring energy is both clean and affordable is essential. The transition must be just—protecting workers, supporting communities reliant on fossil fuels, and making sure no one is left behind.
Energy bills are rising in some regions due to geopolitical tensions and inflation, causing concern among vulnerable households. Governments must balance climate goals with targeted subsidies, energy efficiency programs, and inclusive policies to keep energy accessible.
A Brighter Future: Powering Peace and Progress
SDG 7 is more than a target—it’s a tool for transformation. Clean energy fuels resilient economies, healthier communities, and a stable planet. With only five years left until the 2030 deadline, urgent investments, strong leadership, and cross-sector collaboration are needed.
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently said, “Renewable energy is the peace plan of the 21st century. Let us unite to make it accessible, affordable, and available for all.”
Clean energy is not the future—it’s the present. And the time to scale it for everyone, everywhere, is now.
