As prepared for delivery. 

Secretary-General,

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, Damilola Ogunbiyi,

Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Liu Zhenmin,

Excellencies,

-And a warm welcome to the 30 Global Theme Champions for the High-Level Dialogue on Energy who are hosting this week’s Ministerial Thematic Forums.

We stand on the cusp of a historic tipping point:

towards a clean energy revolution that will radically re-shape our societies and our economies -- improving the wellbeing of millions of people -- and helping to “heal” our planet.

But how fast and how fairly it happens is up to us.

Governments now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make bold decisions that will secure a just energy transition – towards that greener, more sustainable future.

And standing shoulder-to-shoulder, the United Nations will be on hand to give countries and communities the support they need at this pivotal moment.

A “Just Transition” and why Energy Access is Critical

So why is this energy transition so critical?

The energy sector accounts for 73% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions -- it is the leading contributor to the climate crisis.

An energy transition to more renewable and efficient energy will slash the Greenhouse Gas emissions that are rapidly warming our planet.

At the same time, some 759 million people remain without access to electricity and all the opportunities it brings. It is critical that this energy transition is just, inclusive and supports sustainable development. Because:

• Bringing electricity to villages in Sub-Saharan Africa means schools can stay open for longer, allowing more people to obtain an education.
• The 1 billon people that rely on healthcare facilities with no access to electricity -- deserve better. New energy sources have the potential to massively boost health outcomes.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has made this problem especially evident: vaccines require a reliable cold chain. New clean, energy will help to power those cold chains.
• Nearly 1 in every 3 people (2.6 billion) across the globe do not have access to clean, safe fuels and technologies to cook, heat, or light their homes. Clean energy will drastically reduce air pollution caused by current cooking practices that lead to 3.8 million deaths every year -- the majority of whom are women and children.
• And new energy sources will enable access to affordable broadband internet – the “nervous system” of tomorrow’s green economy. That will allow thousands of Small and Medium Enterprises to do business online, for instance.

Energy access will bring dignity to millions of people and helps reduce existing inequalities.

The Approach

What can we do to accelerate this shift?

The energy access and just transition challenge requires a “system-level change”, a paradigm-shift in the way we think about energy – with new levels of support to countries. In particular:

• We need to put people first. We must take an “all of community” approach to energy access to secure electricity to rural areas, focused on the needs of people. Communities should be seen not only as beneficiaries but also as “co-creators” of future energy systems.
• We need to make sure that the transition to sustainable energy is just. That includes assisting fossil fuel-dependent communities to adapt to a green economy - including through reskilling and strengthening social protection.
• We need to urgently reduce the growth in energy demand, the key driver of Green House Gas emissions, through energy efficiency measures and demand-side management. Doing so will also save money and create many good-paying jobs.
• And we must help to redirect international finance and investments towards sustainable energy. The International Energy Agency estimates that annual clean energy investment needs to more than triple by 2030 to over $4 trillion. Over the next three decades, that represents well over $100 trillion total in clean energy investment.

Closing

Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our current energy system is the leading cause of the climate crisis, which hits the world’s poorest and most vulnerable the hardest.

Now is the moment to make bold choices – because these are choices that will define the wellbeing of people and planet for generations to come.

Today, I am delighted to join more than 30 ministers from the “Global Champions for the High-Level Dialogue on Energy” to issue an urgent call to Governments, international organisations, and businesses to radically step-up action on sustainable energy.

In solidarity, UNDP puts on the table its own energy promise, shaped as a two-part energy compact.

• First, UNDP commits to increasing energy access for those furthest behind. By speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts - we aim to increase access to clean and affordable energy for 500 million people. 
• The Africa Mini-Grid Programme, for example, is improving the financial viability of renewable energy mini-grids in 18 countries, encouraging private investment, lower tariffs, and expanded service. 
• Second, UNDP will work to accelerate the transition to renewable energy through systems changes that support inclusive, green economies, particularly in countries with low levels of renewable energy generation or poor energy efficiency improvement rates. 
• Recognizing that change will be disruptive, UNDP will work to ensure that such transitions are fair, and that their impact on vulnerable people is understood and mitigated. 
• UNDP will not be able to achieve its promise on its own. Key, strategic partnerships will be central elements of the compact, and will allow us to work across the UN system and leverage financial institutions, private sector actors, and other critical partners such as IRENA, UNEP and Sustainable Energy for All.”

Working together, we can seize the opportunity and ensure that 2021 is a historic “tipping point” towards sustainable energy for all.

Thank you.