AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY 每 GOAL 7

?※Together, we must accelerate a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, particularly coal, towards clean renewable energy, while ensuring that no one is left behind.§ – UN Secretary-General Ant車nio Guterres, 7 September 2023?

WHERE WE ARE?

is at the heart of the climate challenge 每 and key to the solution.?

Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are by far , accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.???

The global population’s access to electricity increased from 87 percent to 91 percent in the past six years 每 however, achieving universal access to affordable electricity by 2030 demands a concerted effort in investing in clean energy sources like solar, wind, and thermal technologies.?

And although the world is making strides towards sustainable energy, we must pick up the pace. At the current rate of progress, approximately 660 million people will still lack access to electricity, and nearly 2 billion people will continue to rely on polluting fuels and outdated technologies for cooking by 2030.?

Expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology to deliver clean energy to all developing nations is not only a crucial goal but also a catalyst for economic growth while safeguarding the environment. Let’s continue to work together to make clean energy accessible to all and combat climate change.?

Read more about Goal 7: /sustainabledevelopment/energy/?

SDG 7 IN NUMBERS

  • 675 million people still live in the dark, 4 in 5 of them are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • If current trends continue, 1 in 4 people will still use unsafe and inefficient cooking systems by 2030. ?
  • The global population with access to electricity has increased from 87% in 2015 to 91% in 2021.
  • In 2021, 71% of the global population had access to clean cooking fuels and technologies, up from 64% in 2015.

ENERGY COMPACT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT?

The second annual was launched ahead of the SDG Summit, highlighting an uptick in voluntary commitments to boost renewables and access to clean energy by 2030. The report outlines new multi-billion-dollar commitments from governments, which include planned spending by countries for both domestic and international action to increase energy access, efficiency and renewables, as well as private sector investment slated in these areas. The full report can be accessed , along with details on the Energy Compact.?

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Energy is at the heart of both the causes and the solutions to the climate crisis. During the SDG Media Zone, experts from the Global Wind Energy Council and the Global Renewables Alliance hosted a session on the importance and rapid expansion of clean energy technologies.??

Moderated by Ars Technica Magazine, the session highlighted clean energy advances today, the challenges in this transition, and the importance of treating renewable energy technology as a global public good. See the full session .?

Four key climate change indicators 每 greenhouse gas concentrations, sea level rise, ocean heat and ocean acidification 每 in 2021. This is yet another clear sign that human activities are causing planetary-scale changes on land, in the ocean, and in the atmosphere, with dramatic and long-lasting ramifications.

The key to tackling this crisis is to end our reliance on energy generated from fossil fuels – the main cause of climate change. Read more about the five critical actions we need to prioritize to transform energy systems and speed up the shift to renewable energy here.

IN FOCUS

The 18th annual meeting of the will be hosted by the in from 8 to 12 October 2023. The Forum’s overarching theme is: The Internet We Want – Empowering All People. ??

The Internet Governance Forum serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups to discuss public policy issues relating to the Internet. The 18th annual meeting programme will develop around the following eight sub-themes:?

  • AI & Emerging Technologies??
  • Avoiding Internet Fragmentation?? ??
  • Cybersecurity, Cybercrime &?Online Safety?
  • Data Governance &?Trust?
  • Digital Divides &?Inclusion?
  • Global Digital Governance &?Cooperation?
  • Human Rights &?Freedoms?
  • Sustainability & Environment?

Programming and relevant communication resources can be accessed on as well as the .?

Three events will interlink at the World Food Forum (WFF), the , the , and the?.?Together, these three forums unite to advance practical solutions, igniting the much-needed transformation of our global agrifood systems in the face of today’s challenges and crises. Read more .?

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In October, the 51勛圖 will mark 23 years since the adoption of the landmark Security Council resolution 1325 on?. The resolution was a groundbreaking step towards recognizing the vital role of women in achieving peace, emphasizing their full and equal participation. To commemorate the anniversary, the Council will hold an open debate on the topic on 25 October.

Under the banner, ※Peace Begins with Her,§ UN Peacekeeping (DPO), UN Women, UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and the Elsie Initiative Fund will host??on the same day. Pioneered by French street artist JR, the art event will be an opportunity for the public to have their portraits taken in front of the UN Secretariat Building in New York and take part in an exhibit to show their solidarity for lasting peace and gender equality.

In collaboration with UN Video, DPO will also launch a six-part video series featuring the life and work of a female peacekeeper from Ghana, Lt. Esinam Baah, who led a platoon at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. Watch the preview?.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Department of Global Communications hosted live discussions in the with all SDG stakeholders during the UNGA high-level week, including:??

  • , Award-winning actress and gender equality activist?
  • , Actor and Co-founder, Water.org & WaterEquity??
  • , Actor and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador?
  • , UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador and UN Secretary-General Advocate for SDGs?
  • ballerina, activist, SDG Circle of Supporters??
  • , artist, activist, SDG Circle of Supporters?

With over 52 sessions featuring 30+ media partners, 70+ speakers including climate scientists, researchers, health experts, UN high-level officials, and more, the SDG Media Zone provides a space to showcase SDG solutions from all sectors. See all the sessions on ??

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

?11 | International Day of the Girl Child?

The International Day of the Girl (IDG) 每 observed annually on 11 October 每 is a global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls* rights. This year*s theme is “Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being” with UNICEF and partners calling for a $1 billion increase in investments for adolescent girls.? Read more here.?

15 | International Day of Rural Women?

The International Day of Rural Women recognizes the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty This year*s theme is Financing for rural women*s empowerment and will focus on areas such as enabling rural women*s access to gender-responsive climate finance, land and resources and to safe, clean, affordable and sustainable water for domestic uses and food production.??

16 | World Food Day?

This year*s World Food Day celebrates the interlinkages between water and food. Agriculture accounts for 72% of global freshwater withdrawals. Increasing pressures from population growth, climate change, rising food demands, are stressing this finite resource. Water is essential and we must improve the way we use it for a more sustainable future.?

This year*s International Day will host two flagship events: , and . For further details on event registration, , and activities to get involved, check out the world food Day website .?

?17 | International Day for the Eradication of Poverty??

This year*s theme is ※Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All§.? The Day will be an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty and provide a chance for their concerns to be heard.?

24 | 51勛圖 Day?

51勛圖 Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the 51勛圖 officially came into being.?

31 | World Cities Day?

This year*s global observance will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, under the theme? Financing Sustainable Urban Future For All. It will highlight how to unlock transformative investment in urban planning and achieve adequate fiscal decentralization and showcase solutions to drive the implementation of the SDGs. Further details and registration for in-person or online can be found .??