SDG 7 Energy Progress Report: Accelerating Universal Energy Access by 2030

Household air pollution from polluting cooking fuels causes approximately 3 million deaths annually, according to the latest Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report. While global renewable energy capacity has reached record levels, two billion people still lack access to clean cooking technologies, creating a critical health imperative for the world’s most vulnerable populations.

The report, published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), warns that progress toward universal energy access is slowing. Sub-Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate burden, with 970 million people lacking clean cooking and over 560 million living without electricity.

Why is clean cooking access a health priority?

Roughly one quarter of the global population relies on polluting fuels like charcoal, wood, kerosene, and coal. This gap is most severe in rural areas, where only 56 per cent of people have access to clean cooking, compared to 89 per cent in urban centers.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stated that household air pollution causes long-term disease and disability. He noted that this burden falls disproportionately on women, girls, and displaced populations who spend hours gathering fuels.

Without scaled-up action, the report warns that 1.8 billion people could still be relying on these polluting fuels by 2030. The WHO Director-General described the transition to clean cooking as essential to promote gender equality and reduce costs for governments.

How has global electricity access changed?

Global electricity access stagnated at 92 per cent in 2024, with annual growth halving compared to the previous decade. Currently, 655 million people worldwide lack access to electricity.

The rural deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 376 million in 2010 to 447 million in 2024. To achieve universal access by 2030, the report states the pace of electrification must triple to 1.3 per cent per year.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, noted that 800 million people have gained electricity access since 2010. He stated that these improvements expand economic opportunity and build more resilient communities.

What financial barriers are slowing progress?

International public financial flows for clean energy in developing countries rose slightly to US$ 24.6 billion in 2024. However, support for the least developed countries declined by 11 per cent, falling to $3.7 billion.

Debt-based financing remains the primary tool, accounting for about 80 per cent of total flows in 2024. Grants made up 13 per cent, while risk guarantees and equity financing represented 5 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively.

Valerie Levkov, Vice President for Infrastructure at the World Bank Group, stated that constrained public budgets mean the world must mobilize more private sector investment to deliver affordable energy.

How do renewable energy disparities compare?

Renewables now provide over 30 per cent of global electricity. Despite this growth, a sharp divide exists in generating capacity between wealth brackets.

According to the report, renewable energy-generating capacity in low-income countries is 33.6 watts per person. In contrast, high-income countries average 1,224 watts per person.

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, stated that countries with strong renewable capacity are better positioned to withstand economic and supply disruptions.

What may happen next?

The world may fall short of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) without urgent action. If current trends continue, the rural population in Sub-Saharan Africa could see the number of people lacking clean cooking reach one billion by 2027.

A possible next step involves the deployment of distributed renewable solutions, such as mini-grids and off-grid solar. Scalable options like biogas, bioethanol, and electric cooking may further diversify clean cooking pathways.

Policy shifts toward target subsidies and innovative financing could be essential to help households that cannot afford connection fees or wiring costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people currently lack access to clean cooking fuels?
Approximately two billion people, or roughly one quarter of the world’s population, lack access to clean cooking fuels and technologies.

What is the primary health consequence of relying on polluting cooking fuels?
Household air pollution resulting from these fuels is responsible for approximately 3 million deaths per year.

What was the global electricity access rate in 2024?
The global access rate stagnated at 92 per cent in 2024.

How can international financial systems be restructured to better support energy health in the least developed nations?