Up to 2.3 billion people around the world are still using polluting fuels to cook and 675 million don’t have electricity, according to a report released Tuesday by five international organizations.
Millions at Risk: Global Energy Target in Jeopardy, Warns Report
The report said that at current rates, 660 million people projected to be without electricity and 1.9 billion won’t have clean cooking opportunities by 2030. That’s the target date to achieve a United Nations goal set in 2015 “to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”
The International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, U.N. Statistics Division, World Bank, and World Health Organization release a report. It states that the world is not on track to achieve the energy target, which will harm the health of millions and worsen climate change.
In a statement, Executive Director Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency says that the energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine profoundly affects people worldwide. The high energy prices hit the most vulnerable, especially those in developing economies.
Although the transition to clean energy is happening faster than expected, there is still much work to do to provide it to the billions of people who lack access.
What the report reveals?
The report reveals that global electricity access increased from 84% in 2010 to 91% in 2021. However, growth slowed between 2019 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While progress made in electrifying rural areas, there is still a significant gap in urban areas.
In 2021, over 80% of the 567 million people without electricity live in sub-Saharan Africa, similar to the situation in 2010.
The report also highlights that around 2.3 billion people continue to rely on polluting fuels and technologies, including firewood.
Director-General Francesco La Camera of the International Renewable Energy Agency acknowledges the resilience of cost-competitive renewable energy. But notes that the poorest people still can’t fully benefit from it.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2019 estimates, household air pollution from polluting fuels. And technologies leads to 3.2 million premature deaths annually.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization emphasizes the impor.tance of investing in clean. And renewable solutions for universal energy access to protect the health of vulnerable populations.
Vice President Guangzhe Chen of the World Bank urges immediate efforts to ensure that the poorest. And hardest-to-reach individuals not left behind.
These figures serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for concerted global efforts to address these challenges. Not only does the use of polluting fuels contribute to environmental degradation and health hazards. But the lack of electricity deprives millions of people of basic amenities and hinders progress towards sustainable development goals. As the international community strives to build a more equitable and sustainable future. It is crucial to prioritize initiatives that expand access to clean cooking technologies. And renewable energy sources, ensuring that no one left behind in the pursuit of a better tomorrow.
