WHY ENERGY MATTERS? Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Be it for jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes, access to energy for all is essential. Sustainable energy is opportunity – it transforms lives, economies and the planet. One in five people still lacks access to reliable electricity 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions Reducing the carbon intensity of energy is essential for reaching long- term climate goals. United Nations Environment Programme Energy, Climate, and Technology Branch FACTS & FIGURES

WHY ENERGY MATTERS? Energy is a key requirement for sustainable development and poverty eradication It is estimated that about 2.9 billion people have no access to modern energy services and over 1.1 billion have no electricity. Around 4.3 million people die prematurely every year due to household air pollution from cooking and heating with smoky traditional fuels. The challenge lies in finding ways to reconcile the need for modern energy services with their potential impact on the environment and the world’s natural resource base, in order to ensure sustainable development. United Nations Environment Programme Energy, Climate, and Technology Branch

HISTORY OF ENERGY IN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA United Nations Environment Programme Energy, Climate, and Technology Branch The complex challenges of energy and sustainable development were highlighted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in Energy was discussed throughout Agenda 21. Agenda 21 highlighted the fact that current levels of energy consumption and production are not sustainable, especially if demand continues to increase, and stressed the importance of using energy resources in a way that is consistent with the aims of protecting human health, the atmosphere, and the natural environment. KEY MILESTONES The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI), adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development addressed energy in the context of sustainable development UN-Energy was created the Sustainable Energy for All initiative was created by the UN Secretary-General the resolution by the UN General Assembly declaring 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All the UN General Assembly proposed a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which included a dedicated and stand-alone goal on energy. SDG #7 calls to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”.

DESA working paper, Leblanc, March 2015 DESA Working Paper, March 2015

G 2.4 SDG 15 SDG 2 SDG 9.1 SDG 7.1 SDG 7.2 and 9.2

The SDGs are the Key Building Blocks for the Post-2015 Development Agenda Open Working Group’s process of developing a set of Sustainable Development Goals: 17 goals and 169 targets: bringing together the three dimensions of sustainable development and linking the normative concept with peace and security Creativity and Innovation were key Multi-stakeholder process consultations helped a great deal SDGs speak to all countries Means of implementation is crucial – financing is critical Technology Facilitation remains an enduring challenge United Nations Environment Programme Energy, Climate, and Technology Branch

Implementation Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development General Implementation Each State has responsibility to achieving SDGs, including allocating resources Public finance for developing countries in achieving SDGs is vital Addis Ababa Action Agenda on the Funding for Development process is critical to implement SDGs In order to measure implementation, States must improve their data and statistics management SDG 17 Implementation Targets cover finance, technology, capacity-building, trade, and systemic issues United Nations Environment Programme Energy, Climate, and Technology Branch

A final thought … The SDGs and targets will stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. United Nations Environment Programme Energy, Climate, and Technology Branch