HLDE2021 Ministerial Forums: Day 1 highlights

Today was the first day of the High-Level Dialogue on Energy Ministerial Forums. As both the Opening day of the Forums and the dedicated day on Energy Access, this first day saw a number of important announcements that will contribute to accelerating progress for clean energy access for all. Here are the key takeaways from UNDP's Energy team.

We are on the cusp of a historic tipping point towards a clean energy revolution that will radically re-shape our societies and economies. Eradicating energy poverty – by providing access to electricity to 759 million people who currently have no electricity and also access to clean cooking solutions for 2.6 billion people who currently depend on traditional polluting cookstoves and fuels– is key to achieving the wider set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Climate Agreement by 2030 and net zero by 2050. As the energy sector accounts for 73% of greenhouse gas emissions, it is the leading contributor to the climate crisis, while energy poverty is one of the greatest brakes on human development.

Both public and private actors are needed to close the energy access gap, and – in doing so - access to health (including vaccines), education, and digital technologies – all of which, in turn, will contribute to eradicate poverty and inequality, including gender inequality.

Directing the right levels of public and private finance to scaling existing clean energy technologies and investing in new ones - including phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and and re-direct funds towards a just, inclusive energy transition - are key to decoupling recovery from COVID-19 and future economic growth from climate-intensive resource use.

1. Key announcements and calls to action include:

• In his opening speech, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need to "dramatically" speed up global efforts for SDG7, adding that we "are running far behind in the race against time" to achieve universal clean energy access by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.

• UNDP put on the table the concept of an Energy Promise, shaped in two parts. First, UNDP will aim to increase access to clean and affordable energy for 500 million people, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts. The Africa Mini-Grid Programme, for example, is improving the financial viability of renewable energy mini-grids in 18 countries, encouraging private investment, lower tariffs, and expanded service. Second, UNDP will work to accelerate the transition to renewable energy through systems changes that support inclusive, green economies, particularly in countries with low levels of renewable energy generation or poor energy efficiency improvement rates. Read UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner's opening speech here.

• The Rockefeller Foundation and IKEA Foundation announced a $1 billion global platform to scale energy access for 1 billion people – representing the largest one-time commitment the former has made.  

• Google called for governments, private sector and others to join its 24/7 carbon free coalition which seeks to transform the technology sector so it is reliant entirely on clean energy. 

• Several Member States called for more focus on systems change within the energy sector, including more representation from youth.  

• The European Union urged participants to join a global Green Deal, noting there is no vaccine against the climate and biodiversity crises, which will change our lives regardless of where we live, but will continue to disproportionately impact the most vulnerable with no energy – for example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, which faces the greatest gap affecting some 600 million people, despite being the world's richest continent for renewable energy potential. 

2. Launch of the Thematic Working Group on Energy Access Report

In addition, the Thematic Working Group on Energy Access, co-led by UNDP, UN-OHRLLS and the World Bank released its report today, outlining a global roadmap and 8 key recommendations to achieve universal clean energy access by 2030. Download the report here, and watch the video summary below.

3. UNDP Spotlight: renewable energy for the Sahel, and financing solar at the last mile

Two side events hosted or co-hosted by UNDP also shone a light on key energy access initiatives, challenges, and solutions:

• The United Nations Renewable Energy Offer for the Sahel event, organised by UNISS, showcased how renewable energy access can be a game-changer for the region, provided countries are supported to create enabling environments for large scale renewable energy investments. The UN Renewable Energy Offer – a joint effort by 17 UN agencies – aims to help make the Sahel a region of investments by supporting countries tap into their huge renewable energy potential, spurring economic growth that will provide a pathway out of the multiple crises that are affecting the region. Event recording available here. 

• Financing solar at the last mile: perceived challenges, risks and opportunities. Our webinar discussed financing Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) companies in the developing world with global investors and entrepreneurs from emerging economies. Speakers from IRENA, Gogla, SunFunder, Engie Impact and Kingo Energy highlighted that investors in DRE companies must be supported as DRE solutions are key to close the energy access gap. Increased transparency to ensure investors understand risks and ensuring capital matches market requirements are key to scale DRE solutions in a sustainable way. Recording is available here.

Register and find the detailed programme for the rest of the week here.