The 2026 Energy Progress Report has found that global advances in affordable and clean energy are continuing but remain insufficient to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) by 2030.

The report reviews progress on electricity access, clean cooking, renewable energy, energy efficiency and international clean energy financing, reported SDG Knowledge Hub.

Produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO), the report incorporates new 2023 and 2024 data.

While many regions are nearing universal energy access, major gaps remain, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 560 million people lack electricity and 970 million lack access to clean cooking.

The report estimates electrification efforts must triple pace to achieve universal access by 2030.

Renewables now provide more than 30% of global electricity, but their contribution to heating and transport remains limited.

Energy efficiency improvements slowed to 1.5% in 2023, while international public finance for clean energy in developing countries increased only marginally to $24.6 billion in 2024.

The findings informed the SDG 7 in-depth review at the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, supported by policy recommendations from the SDG 7 Technical Advisory Group.