Highlights and images for 27 September 2024

“Women make up 50% of the population…if our voices are not heard, the world misses out on 50% of the solutions,” was one message coming out of a session on prioritizing gender indicators for a just and inclusive energy transition in a post-2030 agenda. Gender issues took center stage during several sessions during the third and final day of the ENERGYNOW SDG7 Action Forum. While some panelists spoke about work being done, others noted that the lack of any gender-based indicators in SDG7 was largely problematic for advancing gender equity, and called for this oversight to be rectified in any post-2030 energy space. During a session on energy for sustainable agri-food systems and clean cooking, one speaker stressed that USD 8 billion a year is needed for clean cooking by 2030, and if no action is taken, it will cost 2.4 trillion to mitigate the negative impacts of continuing to use unsustainable energy sources for cooking.

Discussions continued to focus on identifying problems and concrete solutions, as well as hinderances to SDG7 implementation. This included conversations on challenges and opportunities in advancing digitalization in support of SDG7, mainstreaming gender and youth for SDG7, and challenges and opportunities for young women entering the energy workforce. During conversations around youth and women, panelists discussed the energy and enthusiasm among these population to meaningfully engage in the transition to renewables, but expressed frustration at the obstacles in their way. Meanwhile, the afternoon session brought a spark of optimism to the future of energy access as participants discussed and conceptualized energy partnerships for universal access and their impact.

While it was acknowledged that there is much work ahead, many expressed a renewed commitment and vigor after listening to and participating in such inspiring sessions, where many innovative ideas were put forward. Presenters, panelists, and participants alike were optimistic that more progress can be made before 2030 and underscored the need to reflect on lessons learnt when more formal discussions on a post-2030 agenda begin.

For now, they have the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to look forward to as an opportunity to deepen discussions and interlinkages between the energy and climate agendas. The 2025 SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados, led by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, will convene under the theme “Sustainable Energy for Equity, Security and Prosperity” and will surely build on discussions made at this Forum.