The European Union, in a statement at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 7 July 2026, warned that the world is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy) by 2030, citing slow progress on energy efficiency and persistent energy poverty. Delivered on behalf of the EU and its Member States, the statement highlighted that hundreds of millions still lack electricity and over two billion rely on polluting cooking fuels, while geopolitical tensions—including Russia's war against Ukraine and instability in the Middle East—have made the energy transition more difficult, especially for developing countries.
The EU stressed that energy security, development, and climate action are deeply interconnected, pointing to its own response to the energy crisis as proof that accelerating renewables, strengthening efficiency, diversifying supply, and investing in grids can reinforce both resilience and decarbonisation. The statement called for greater support to partner countries, particularly in Africa and fragile contexts, and noted the EU's Global Gateway strategy as a key instrument for delivering SDG 7 by linking energy investments with transport, digital, health, education, and local value creation. The EU also highlighted its joint effort at London Climate Action Week with COP31 and COP32 presidencies to expand electrification and reduce methane emissions.
The statement reflects the EU's position that energy is not a standalone sector but an enabler of development across all SDGs, aiming to maximise positive spillovers for communities while strengthening resilience and ensuring the green transition supports poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable growth. No prior EU coverage on this specific statement exists in the available record.