Global Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

A Positive Tipping Point in Renewable Energy Adoption

Recent analysis from United Nations agencies indicates that the global transition to renewable energy has surpassed a critical threshold, signaling a definitive shift towards achieving the targets of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Key indicators of this progress include:

• Renewable sources, including wind and solar, accounted for 74 percent of the growth in global electricity generation in the last year.
• In 2024, 92.5 percent of all new electricity capacity integrated into the worldwide grid was from renewables.
• The adoption of sustainable transport, a key component of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), has surged, with electric vehicle sales increasing from 500,000 in 2015 to over 17 million in 2024.

Economic Viability and Investment Trends

The economic case for clean energy is strengthening, directly supporting SDG 7’s affordability target. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the three most cost-effective sources of electricity globally are now onshore wind, solar panels, and new hydropower.

• Solar power is now 41 percent cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternative.
• Wind power is 53 percent cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternative.
• Investment in green energy reached $2 trillion last year, exceeding fossil fuel investments by approximately $800 billion.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “We are in the dawn of a new energy era. An era where cheap, clean, abundant energy powers a world rich in economic opportunity,” underscoring the link between the energy transition and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Challenges to Achieving Climate Action (SDG 13) and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10)

Insufficient Pace and Persistent Fossil Fuel Support

Despite significant progress, the transition is not occurring rapidly enough to meet the urgent goals of SDG 13 (Climate Action). Global energy demand continues to rise, driven by developing nations, the expansion of artificial intelligence, and increasing cooling needs, leading to a concurrent increase in fossil fuel production.

A major obstacle is the disparity in government support, which undermines SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):

1. In 2023, global subsidies for fossil fuel consumption amounted to $620 billion.
2. In contrast, subsidies for renewables were only $70 billion, nearly nine times less.

The UN Secretary-General warned that nations maintaining a reliance on fossil fuels are “sabotaging” their economies by increasing costs and undermining competitiveness, thereby hindering progress on SDG 8.

Geographic Disparities in the Green Transition

The benefits of the renewable energy boom are not being distributed equitably, highlighting a significant challenge for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Growth is heavily concentrated in specific countries, including China, India, and Brazil.
• The continent of Africa, despite its vast electrification needs, represented less than 2 percent of the new green energy capacity installed last year.

This imbalance underscores the need to empower the Global South to develop its own clean energy infrastructure without accumulating unsustainable levels of debt, a critical step for ensuring a just and equitable global transition.

Future Outlook: Integrating Innovation (SDG 9) for a Sustainable Future

The Energy Demands of Digital Infrastructure

The rapid growth of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, presents a new challenge for sustainable energy management. This trend directly impacts SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• A typical AI data centre consumes as much electricity as 100,000 homes.
• By 2030, data centres could consume as much electricity as the entire nation of Japan.

In response, the UN Secretary-General has called on major technology firms to commit to powering their data centres entirely with renewable energy by 2030, aligning technological innovation with climate and sustainability goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s central theme is the global transition to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are becoming cheaper and more accessible. It directly discusses increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The shift from fossil fuels to renewables is presented as a critical action to combat climate change. The UN Secretary-General’s statement about the “fossil fuel age… flailing and failing” explicitly frames the energy transition as a climate imperative.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the massive investment in green energy infrastructure, noting that 92.5% of new electricity capacity is from renewables. It also touches on innovation through the development of cheaper solar and wind technologies and the need for sustainable infrastructure for AI data centers.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The text discusses the economic opportunities of the new energy era, warning that countries clinging to fossil fuels are “sabotaging” their economies. It points to China, where green energy constitutes a significant part of the economy, as an example of economic growth tied to this transition.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article addresses production patterns by contrasting the $620 billion in fossil fuel subsidies with the $70 billion for renewables, highlighting inefficient and environmentally harmful production incentives. The call for AI data centers to be powered by renewables is a call for more responsible consumption.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article points out a significant inequality in the green energy transition, stating that “Africa represented less than 2 percent of the new green energy capacity installed last year.” It calls for empowering the Global South to participate in the transition without accumulating debt.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The mention of a massive increase in the sales of electric vehicles (from 500,000 to over 17 million) directly relates to developing sustainable transport systems, a key component of sustainable cities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

  The article is entirely focused on this target, reporting that “74 percent of the growth in electricity generated worldwide was from wind, solar and other green sources” and that renewables accounted for “92.5 percent of all new electricity capacity added to the grid worldwide in 2024.”

• Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

  This target is implied through the discussion of the disparity in renewable energy adoption, where Africa has minimal new capacity. The call to “empower” the Global South points to the need for enhanced cooperation and investment flows.

• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

  The global switch to renewables discussed in the article is a primary climate change mitigation strategy being implemented by countries, reflecting its integration into national planning.

• Target 12.c: Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption.

  The article directly addresses this by stating that in 2023, “global fossil fuel subsidies amounted to $620bn, compared with $70bn for renewables,” highlighting the exact issue this target aims to resolve.

• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

  The article’s mention of the growth in “sales of electric vehicles… up from 500,000 in 2015 to more than 17 million in 2024” is a direct measure of progress towards sustainable transport systems.

• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

  This is demonstrated by the report that “92.5 percent of all new electricity capacity added to the grid worldwide in 2024 came from renewables” and the call for tech firms to “power data centres completely with renewables by 2030.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Share of renewable energy in electricity growth: The article states that “74 percent of the growth in electricity generated worldwide was from wind, solar and other green sources.” This is a direct indicator for Target 7.2.
• Share of new renewable energy capacity: The report found that “92.5 percent of all new electricity capacity added to the grid worldwide in 2024 came from renewables.” This measures progress for Target 7.2 and Target 9.4.
• Investment in clean energy vs. fossil fuels: The article provides a clear indicator by stating there was “$2 trillion in investment in green energy, which is about $800bn more than in fossil fuels” last year. This relates to Target 7.a.
• Amount of fossil fuel subsidies: The article specifies that “global fossil fuel subsidies amounted to $620bn, compared with $70bn for renewables” in 2023. This is a direct indicator for Target 12.c.
• Sales of electric vehicles: The data showing EV sales increased “from 500,000 in 2015 to more than 17 million in 2024” serves as a clear indicator for progress on Target 11.2.
• Geographic distribution of renewable energy installation: The fact that “Africa represented less than 2 percent of the new green energy capacity installed last year” is an indicator of inequality, relevant to Target 10.a.
• Cost-competitiveness of renewables: The article indicates that “solar power now is 41 percent cheaper and wind power is 53 percent cheaper globally than the lowest-cost fossil fuel,” serving as an indicator of the economic viability of clean energy (SDG 7 and SDG 8).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aljazeera.com