Now that we have passed the first quarter of a century, the world continues to face the double challenge of ensuring that the entire population has access to energy and, at the same time, protecting the planet from the adverse effects of climate change. And everything indicates that at this crossroads, clean energy is the key, both for social inclusion and for environmental sustainability.
According to the United Nations, the use of non-renewable energy and the methods used for its extraction are responsible for approximately 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This data places the energy transition at the center of the fight against climate change. International concern is justified by the fact that more than a third of the world’s population still lacks access to clean energy sources.
According to experts, clean energy, obtained from renewable sources such as the sun, wind and water, plays a fundamental role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for global warming. Furthermore, these energy sources contribute to widespread access to electricity, especially in rural areas and isolated communities that have traditionally been left out of conventional energy development.
Abysmal inequalities
Despite the great and many technological advances, according to data from one of the latest annual reports of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), more than 666 million people in the world still lack access to electricity. Most of this population is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, where approximately 85% of its inhabitants live without reliable electricity supply.
The lack of access to energy has direct consequences on daily life. In the educational field, the absence of electric light prevents studying after dark and limits the use of digital technologies in classrooms. In terms of health, hospitals and medical centers suffer supply interruptions, making it difficult to store medications and provide emergency care. At an economic level, the inability to use machinery or preserve food affects job creation and the well-being of families.
Many communities still depend on fossil fuels such as coal, diesel or firewood, polluting sources that contribute to both climate change and local pollution. This dependence not only increases global emissions, but perpetuates cycles of poverty by forcing families to allocate part of their income to inefficient and expensive energy sources, to the detriment of their health and quality of life.
Added to all this is that according to United Nations data, more than 1.5 billion people living in rural areas continue to use unsafe, unhealthy and inefficient cooking systems, such as burning firewood or dung. More dramatic is the case of sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of people without access to clean cooking methods continues to increase at a rate of 14 million people a year due to population growth.
However, not all the data is negative, significant progress is also being made in the transition to clean energy. For example, installed renewable energy capacity per capita has continued to grow each year, reaching a new high of 341 watts per capita in developing countries in 2025, up from 155 watts in 2015.
Clean energies against climate change
Beyond social inclusion, the transition towards sustainable energy systems is also essential when it comes to meeting international commitments to reduce emissions and limit the increase in global temperature. Replacing fossil sources with renewable ones not only reduces the carbon footprint, but also boosts the creation of green jobs and encourages technological innovation, crucial elements for inclusive and resilient economic development.
Improving energy efficiency is another fundamental pillar in the fight for a more egalitarian and sustainable energy system. Measures such as the modernization of electrical networks, the implementation of efficient appliances or the rehabilitation of buildings make it possible to reduce consumption and costs, especially benefiting households with fewer resources. Different initiatives in European countries have shown that efficiency can reduce the electricity bill and reduce emissions without sacrificing comfort or productivity.
According to the United Nations, the double energy challenge requires comprehensive solutions and a global commitment. Guaranteeing universal access to energy and protecting the planet are not exclusive objectives, but complementary. For the international organization, the expansion of clean energy and the improvement of energy efficiency open new opportunities for socioeconomic development, social equity and environmental preservation.