Many companies contribute goods and services to the global energy system, but that does not necessarily mean they are speeding up society’s progress to future-fitness: the key issue here is one of access.
A large proportion of the global population simply does not have sufficient access to energy to meet their daily needs.
More people are adequately served when:
This Positive Pursuit encompasses any action which achieves such an outcome.
And yet, 20% of the world’s population currently has no access to electricity, making daily tasks - such as refrigerating food or working or studying after dark - near impossible.
Annual energy use is more or less constant in OECD countries, but it is growing by around 5% per annum in the rest of the world.
2.7 billion people do not have clean and safe energy for cooking and, as a result use open fires and simple stoves burning biomass and coal. 4 million people die prematurely every year as a result of illnesses attributable to household air pollution from cooking with solid fuels.
Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Access for all to affordable, reliable, renewable and clean energy is essential for sustainable development.
Learn more about SDG 7Growth in productivity and incomes, and improvements in health and education, require innovation and investment in critical infrastructure such as transport, irrigation, energy, and information technology.
Learn more about SDG 9