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7. Affordable and clean energy
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. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for all has come one step closer due to recent progress in electrification, particularly in LDCs, and improvements in industrial energy efficiency. However, national priorities and policy ambitions still need to be strengthened to put the world on track to meet the energy targets for 2030.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy is supported by Energy Development Corporation
News
Policy & Finance
Global treaty to trace critical minerals stalls amid uncertainty
Colombia has been pushing for a binding global minerals treaty at several key UN meetings, including at the seventh UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) last December.
The G7 major economies “f[e]ll notably behind China and the rest of the world” in 2025 as the amount of wind and solar power being developed reached a new high, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
With the right policy, coal is not essential to ensuring a reliable electricity supply.
Energy
Philippine energy department lauded for clampdown on non-performing renewable energy contracts
The department of energy has terminated agreements for nearly 18 gigawatts of solar, wind and other clean power projects due to prospective investors who were found to have no intention to build them.
Policy & Finance
Five key climate and energy announcements in India’s budget for 2026
Opinion
Policy & Finance
Sanae Takaichi supermajority opens path to nuclear-led, industry-driven energy transition in Japan
Landslide election win strengthens push to link decarbonisation with economic security, boosting nuclear, domestic clean tech and state-led industrial strategy while keeping climate targets intact.
Vietnam has grand plans to build a series of nuclear power plants. But it faces several challenges.
Long treated in Southeast Asia as a distant or theoretical possibility, nuclear power is quietly returning to regional policy discussions, as the risks of energy shortfalls, price instability and system fragility are becoming harder to ignore.
While overland cables are just as important, the geographic flexibility offered by subsea cables will have a catalytic impact on regional energy transition by increasing the numbers of energy buyers and sellers.
Carbon & Climate
As climate diplomacy stalls, the economics are racing ahead
Policy & Finance
Global power struggles over the ocean’s finite resources
Videos
Carbon & Climate
More forest protection and financing needed in 13th Malaysia Plan, say environmental groups
NGOs urged the government to improve forest data transparency by making maps of protected areas publicly available, and to channel funds to frontline communities living near forests.
Policy & Finance
Navigating uncertainty: AIA’s long-term bet on sustainable investing
In this wide-ranging fireside chat moderated by Eco-Business CEO Jessica Cheam, AIA Group's chief investment officer Dr Mark Konyn asserts there is “no U-turn” among corporates invested for the long term, even as political regimes change amid a new world order.
There is consensus that coal needs to be retired early in Asia, but the mechanisms for financing the phase-out are not clear. This mini-documentary examines how transition credits work and whether they can fund Southeast Asia's equitable switch to clean power.
After 20 years without electricity, more than 50 households in Cebu's poorest district have been provided with solar energy, financed by carbon offsets.
Podcasts
Energy
Asean must connect energy planning with environmental protection: Philippines energy director
As the Philippines gears up to chair Asean next year, Michael Sinocruz says the government will push offshore wind to bolster cross-border renewable energy trade, while protecting marine life impacted by infrastructure.
Southeast Asian energy ministers will meet in October to discuss the future of the region’s power grid. GEAPP’s Kitty Bu tells the Eco-Business podcast what areas they must collaborate on, and how finance and industry can help.
In the first of a podcast series featuring Southeast Asia's clean energy entrepreneurs, the CEO of Gurin Energy says that Asean countries will be left behind in artificial intelligence and robotics if the region does not connect its grid and deploy renewables at speed and scale.
Green Buildings
Are our climate targets too weak or too ambitious? Hang Lung Properties’ sustainability chief John Haffner
Having "stretch targets" can spur innovation, says the sustainability chief for one of Hong Kong's largest real estate firms in the latest episode of "On the frontlines". He also shares why the firm has chosen to publish the draft of its net zero plan for open discussion of its climate targets.
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