The United Nations has released its Energy Compacts Annual Progress Report 2024, revealing both encouraging progress and challenges in the global push for energy access and clean cooking solutions. While millions have gained access to electricity, the pace of change remains insufficient to meet the ambitious 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in clean cooking.
Since 2021, 177 million people have gained access to electricity. This represents an increase of 48 million people from the previous year. However, this progress is still slower than needed. The UN report emphasizes that 66 million people need to gain electricity annually to reach the goal of 100% energy access by 2030. Falling short by 18 million people in 2024, the report stresses that governments and stakeholders must ramp up efforts to bridge this gap.
The situation around clean cooking is even more pressing. Despite global efforts, only 23 million people have gained access to clean cooking solutions over the past year. This is nowhere near enough when considering that 2 billion people still rely on traditional, polluting fuels like wood and charcoal for cooking. This reliance on unsafe fuels poses significant health risks.
Indoor air pollution, mostly from traditional cooking methods, is responsible for over 3.2 million deaths each year, with women and children disproportionately affected. According to the UN, without intensified efforts, 1 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa alone will still lack access to clean cooking by 2030.
On a more positive note, the report highlights an encouraging increase in financial pledges to support the energy transition. Funding has grown to USD 1.4 trillion, up by USD 100 billion from last year. Much of this funding is directed toward renewable energy projects, though the report points to the need for more investments to improve energy access, especially in the most underserved regions.
Between 2021 and 2024, USD 201 billion was mobilized to support energy access and clean cooking initiatives, nearly three times more than the previous year. However, while funding is growing, the distribution of these funds remains uneven. More effort is needed to ensure that resources are channeled toward areas where energy access remains limited.
The report also draws attention to the gender and social inequalities tied to energy access. The lack of clean cooking solutions greatly affects women and girls in many developing countries. They often bear the burden of collecting firewood and are exposed to the health risks of indoor air pollution.
The UN stresses that clean cooking energy solutions must address these inequalities by empowering women and ensuring that they have access to sustainable, safe, and affordable cooking methods.
The UN report issues a clear call to action: governments, businesses, and civil society organizations must submit their own Energy Compacts to contribute to the global push for universal energy access. Time is running out, and the stakes are high. Achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) will not only improve the quality of life for millions but also support broader climate goals under SDG 13 (Climate Action) and promote stronger partnerships (SDG 17).
