Sustainable Development Goal 7
"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all"
Linkage with other SDGs
Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy is fundamental for achieving other SDGs. Energy powers economies, improves quality of life, and drives environmental sustainability, making it a cornerstone for global progress.
The following direct and indirect interlinkages exist between SDG 7 and all other SDGs:
SDG 1 - No Poverty: Affordable energy reduces energy poverty, creating opportunities for economic activities and improving living standards. Energy access in rural areas supports income-generating activities, lifting people out of poverty. Example: Solar-powered microgrids in Tanzania have provided electricity to off-grid communities, enabling small businesses and boosting incomes.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: Energy is essential for modernising agriculture, powering irrigation systems, and reducing post-harvest losses through refrigeration. Sustainable energy also enables food processing and storage, addressing hunger and malnutrition. Example: Solar-powered cold storage facilities in India have helped reduce food waste and ensure consistent food supplies.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Clean energy reduces reliance on traditional biomass fuels for cooking, which cause indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases. Electrifying healthcare facilities ensures reliable services, including vaccine refrigeration and emergency care. Example: Solar energy systems in remote health clinics in Ghana have improved maternal and child health services.
SDG 4 - Quality Education: Energy access in schools enables the use of digital learning tools, lighting for evening study, and access to modern educational resources. Example: Solar panels installed in schools in Malawi have improved learning environments, boosting attendance and performance.
SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Energy access reduces the time women and girls spend collecting firewood, freeing them to pursue education, work, and other activities. Clean cooking technologies improve health outcomes for women disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution. Example: In Nepal, clean cooking initiatives have reduced respiratory issues for women and increased their time for education and income-generating activities.
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: is critical for water treatment, distribution, and irrigation systems. Access to energy ensures communities can maintain water supply systems sustainably. Example: Solar-powered water pumps in rural Kenya have provided clean drinking water to thousands of households.
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Affordable and clean energy drives industrialisation and creates jobs in renewable energy sectors. Reliable electricity supports businesses and innovation, fostering economic growth. Example: Wind and solar farms in Morocco have created jobs and contributed to national energy independence.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Energy is vital for industrial development and innovation. Sustainable energy infrastructure enables industrial activities while reducing environmental impacts. Example: Hydropower development in Bhutan has powered industries and exported surplus energy to neighbouring countries.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Expanding energy access to underserved populations, especially in rural areas, reduces inequality by improving quality of life and economic opportunities. Example: In Bangladesh, solar home systems have electrified rural communities, narrowing the urban-rural energy divide.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Clean energy solutions, like public transportation powered by renewables, reduce urban pollution and enhance liveability. Energy-efficient buildings contribute to sustainable urban development. Example: Electric buses in Shenzhen, China, have reduced urban air pollution and provided affordable transport options.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Clean energy minimises environmental impacts of consumption and production. Energy efficiency and renewables drive sustainable practices. Example: Industrial energy efficiency programs in Germany have reduced emissions and resource waste.
SDG 13 - Climate Action: Transitioning to clean energy is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting global climate targets. Renewable energy solutions mitigate the impacts of climate change. Example: Costa Rica’s renewable energy initiatives have reduced its carbon footprint while meeting nearly 100% of energy needs sustainably.
SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Clean energy reduces marine pollution from oil spills and fossil fuel extraction. Offshore renewable energy systems, like wind farms, provide sustainable alternatives. Example: Offshore wind farms in the North Sea have provided clean energy without harming marine ecosystems.
SDG 15 - Life on Land: Renewable energy reduces deforestation by decreasing dependency on wood fuel. It also minimises environmental degradation associated with fossil fuel extraction. Example: Biogas projects in rural Rwanda have replaced firewood for cooking, reducing deforestation and soil erosion.
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Access to energy reduces social inequalities and mitigates conflicts over energy resources. Transparent governance in energy management fosters peace and stability. Example: Energy-sharing agreements between Ethiopia and neighbouring countries have promoted regional stability through hydropower exports.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Expanding access to clean energy requires global collaboration and investments in technology, infrastructure, and capacity-building. Partnerships drive innovation and financing for energy projects. Example: The International Solar Alliance has facilitated partnerships between countries to promote solar energy adoption.
Consquence of failing to reach targets
If affordable and clean energy is not achieved, the effects will hinder progress across multiple SDGs:
- Persistent poverty (SDG 1), as energy poverty limits economic opportunities for low-income populations.
- Food insecurity (SDG 2) due to inadequate energy for modern agricultural practices and food storage.
- Health disparities (SDG 3), as traditional fuels continue to cause respiratory diseases and limit healthcare services.
- Slower climate action (SDG 13), as reliance on fossil fuels exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks.
Affordable and clean energy is not just a goal—it is an enabler of economic, social, and environmental progress.
SDG 7: Targets, Indicators, Progress and Data
By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
7.1.1: Proportion of population with access to electricity.
7.1.2: Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology.
- In 2022, global electricity access remained at 91%, but the number without access increased by 10 million from 2021 to 685 million people. Factors such as COVID-19 and the Ukraine conflict disrupted progress. Projections suggest that by 2030, 660 million will still lack electricity. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 83% of deficit in 2022. However, Central and Southern Asia reduced their gap from 235 million in 2015 to 33 million in 2022. Annual progress slowed to 0.4% between 2020 and 2022, requiring a 1.08% increase until 2030 to meet the target.
- In 2022, around 74% of the world used clean fuels for cooking. Yet, about 2.1 billion still relied on polluting fuels and technologies such as charcoal, coal, crop waste, dung, kerosene, and wood. The global access deficit decreased from 36% to 26% since 2015. However, current trends suggest a 21% shortfall in achieving universal access by 2030, leaving 1.8 billion without access to clean cooking by 2030.
By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
In 2021 the global share of renewable sources in total final energy consumption stood at 18.7%. Excluding traditional use of biomass, the share of modern renewable sources rose gradually from 10% in 2015 to 12.5% in 2021. The electricity sector led the charge with renewables, contributing 28.2% to total final electricity consumption. However, insufficient progress in the heat and transport sectors underscores the need for stronger conservation measures and policy actions. Tripling world’s installed renewable energy generation agreed at the COP28 is an important step aligning with the SDG 7.
By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP.
In 2021, the primary energy intensity improved by 0.8%, falling below both the 1.2% five-year average and the SDG 7.3 target of 2.6%. To meet the 2030 target, annual improvements must now average around 4%. The robust economic recovery in 2021 led to the largest annual rise in energy consumption in 50 years, exceeding 5%. This surge was driven by a shift towards energyintensive industries and the resurgence of other demand sectors after lockdowns were lifted.
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.
7.A.1: International financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy research and development and renewable energy production, including in hybrid systems.
In 2022, international public financial flows supporting clean energy in developing countries rose to $15.4 billion, a 25% increase from 2021 but still half of the 2016 peak of $28.5 billion. However, in 2023, it was anticipated a decrease in global five-year average flows by $450 million. The decreasing trend in these flows may hinder SDG 7 achievement, especially for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
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.
7.B.1: Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita).
Installed renewable energy capacity is on the rise worldwide, reaching 424 watts per person globally in 2022. Developed nations averaged 1,073 watts per person, while developing countries averaged 293 watts per person. This represents an 8.5% increase from 2021, maintaining a steady compound annual growth rate of 8.1% over five-year periods.