"The answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels... If we succeed, we create booming new industries, wealth, clean secure energy and maybe we prevent the greatest disaster so far in human history, saving millions of lives while improving billions more. If we fail, basically it's business as usual while things slowly get worse all around us"

Al Gore

Renewable energies are those that can be renewed or regenerated naturally. They can be used without time limit while fossil energies come from sources that will be depleted.

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Be it for jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes, access to energy for all is essential. Working towards this goal is especially important as it interlinks with other Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on universal access to energy, increased energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable energy through new economic and job opportunities is crucial to creating more sustainable and inclusive communities and resilience to environmental issues like climate change.

SDG 7 Explained

Run Time: 2:29 - Sep 19, 2019

SDG 7 Clean Energy

Run Time: 0:46 - Sep 18, 2019

Facts and Figures

Source (United Nations Development Programme)

1 in 7

One in 7 people still lacks electricity, and most of them live in rural areas of the developing world.

60%

Energy is the main contributor to climate change, it produces around 60 percent of greenhouse gases.

14%

More efficient energy standards could reduce building and industry electricity consumption by 14 percent.

3 billion

More than 40 percent of the world’s population—3 billion—rely on polluting and unhealthy fuels for cooking.

20%

As of 2015, more than 20 percent of power was generated through renewable sources.

10.3 million

The renewable energy sector employed a record 10.3 million people in 2017.

SDG 7 Info

Run Time: 1:59 - Aug 25, 2017

Ending Energy Poverty

Run Time: 3:18 - Nov 11, 2015

SDG 7 Explained

Run Time: 2:29 - Apr 19, 2016

SDG 7 Presentation

Run Time: 0:52 - 2016

Website: UN Sustainable Development Goals

This website provides facts, targets, printouts, links and related stories and videos about SDG 7 - Clean Energy.

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Be it for jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes, access to energy for all is essential. Working towards this goal is especially important as it interlinks with other Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on universal access to energy, increased energy efficiency and the increased use of renewable energy through new economic and job opportunities is crucial to creating more sustainable and inclusive communities and resilience to environmental issues like climate change.

At the current time, there are approximately 3 billion people who lack access to clean-cooking solutions and are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution. Additionally, slightly less than 1 billion people are functioning without electricity and 50% of them are found in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. Fortunately, progress has been made in the past decade regarding the use of renewable electricity from water, solar and wind power and the ratio of energy used per unit of GDP is also declining.

Go to website to learn more

Website: SDG Goal Tracker

SDG 7 Targets

This website provides facts, targets, and related  stories about programmes contributing to SDG 7 - Clean Energy.

7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

7.A 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.B 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

Go to website to learn more

Website: UN Development Programme

This website provides facts, and related stories about SDG 7 - Clean Energy.

Between 2000 and 2016, the number of people with electricity increased from 78 to 87 percent, and the numbers without electricity dipped to just below one billion.

Yet as the population continues to grow, so will the demand for cheap energy, and an economy reliant on fossil fuels is creating drastic changes to our climate.

Investing in solar, wind and thermal power, improving energy productivity, and ensuring energy for all is vital if we are to achieve SDG 7 by 2030.

Expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology to provide clean and more efficient energy in all countries will encourage growth and help the environment.  

Go to website to learn more

Additional SDG 7 Videos &  Information 

SDG 7 Why It Matters

Run Time: 4:46 - Aug 29, 2017

SDG 7 Explained

Run Time: 3:07 - Sep 17, 2019