Today, nearly one billion people worldwide live without access to a modern energy supply. For many people today, it is hard to imagine living without electricity. Everyday things like cooking, switching on lights, charging the cell phone, and taking the train don’t work without electricity. However, one in ten people lives without electricity. The majority of these people come from Africa, south of the Sahara. The population here is growing faster than technological progress.
At present, however, most of the energy generated worldwide still comes from fossil fuels. Apart from the fact that these energy sources are not infinite, their use is also harmful to health and the environment. Nearly 3 billion people still rely on these inefficient and highly polluting energy sources. If climate targets are to be met, energy must be generated without fossil resources.
Demand-driven energy access for all requires energy in the right quantity and quality, at the right time, in the right place, and at an affordable price. After all, energy is a fundamental prerequisite for economic and social development. Clean energy sources are a key factor in environmental and climate protection.

SDG 7 is to be implemented by strengthening international cooperation in clean energy research and technology. Investments in energy infrastructure are to be promoted. By 2030, infrastructure will be expanded and technologies upgraded to provide modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing and least developed countries, island developing countries, and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective support programs.