IRENA – Tracking SDG7 energy progress, 2024

IRENA, in partnership with IEA, UNSD, World Bank, and WHO, releases an annual report tracking global progress towards SDG7. Despite improvements in energy access, efficiency, and renewables, the pace falls short of SDG7 targets for 2030. In 2022, 91% had electricity access, leaving 685 million without it, and 74% had clean cooking, with 2.1 billion still reliant on polluting fuels. Renewables only accounted for 18.7% of global energy consumption in 2021, below the target. While international clean energy funding increased to USD 15.4 billion in 2022, it remains concentrated in a few countries. The report urges increased efforts to expand energy access, boost renewable energy, enhance efficiency, and increase funding in developing countries. These actions are vital for achieving SDG7 and other global goals like tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling efficiency, and limiting global temperature rise.