Energy has always played the lead role in the grand theatre of human progress. It powers our homes, fuels industries and drives economies forward.
Yet, as the curtain rises on a new era, we find ourselves at a crossroads – between a world where energy is a privilege for some and a future where it is a right for all.
Clean energy stands at the heart of this transformation, offering not just a solution to climate change but also a beacon of hope for millions still living in darkness.
A WORLD LEFT IN THE DARK
While technology surges ahead in many parts of the world, an astonishing 685 million people remain without electricity, over 80 per cent of whom live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For these communities, the absence of power is more than an inconvenience – it is a barrier to education, healthcare, and economic growth.
Schools struggle to function, hospitals rely on unreliable generators and businesses cannot thrive. Even more critically, billions still depend on unsafe, inefficient and polluting cooking methods, such as burning wood or dung.
If current trends persist, by 2030, nearly 1.8 billion people will still be cooking with harmful, outdated systems.
Yet, instead of witnessing unbroken progress, recent years have exposed the fragility of global energy access.
In 2022, for the first time in decades, the number of people without electricity increased by 10 million, as population growth outstripped electrification efforts.
This setback underscores a harsh reality: we are not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which aims to provide access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030.
A PATH TO PROSPERITY
Beyond the necessity of basic access, clean energy presents an opportunity to lift entire nations out of poverty. Sustainable power sources – from solar farms in the deserts of North Africa to wind turbines along Europe’s coastlines – are not just environmentally friendly but economically transformative.
Communities with access to clean energy see improved education outcomes, better healthcare services, and new economic opportunities.
When children can study under electric lights rather than candle flames, when vaccines can be stored safely in solar-powered refrigerators, when entrepreneurs can build businesses without reliance on costly diesel generators, the impact is profound.
Clean energy is not merely about replacing coal with wind or oil with solar panels; it is about building resilient, self-sustaining communities that are no longer shackled by outdated systems.
Yet, this transition requires more than just technological advances – it demands political will, financial investment, and a commitment to fairness.
THE CLIMATE IMPERATIVE
The fight against climate change is, at its core, a battle for cleaner energy. The burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil, and gas – remains the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, trapping heat in the atmosphere and driving global temperatures ever higher.
The science is unequivocal: to limit global warming, we must end our reliance on fossil fuels and shift to renewable alternatives that are accessible, affordable, and sustainable.
Renewable energy sources – whether harnessing the sun’s rays, the wind’s power, or the Earth’s heat – are nature’s gift to humanity. They replenish themselves, they do not pollute and they hold the potential to power our lives without destroying our planet. But the transition must also be smart.
It is not just about generating clean energy but using it efficiently. Advances in transportation, lighting, and building technologies can dramatically cut energy consumption while still improving quality of life.
The goal is clear: a world where everyone has access to energy that is not only clean but also efficient and equitable.
MARKING A GLOBAL COMMITMENT
Recognising the urgency of this transformation, the United Nations has declared January 26 as the International Day of Clean Energy – a day to raise awareness, inspire action, and accelerate the shift towards a sustainable energy future.
The date also commemorates the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009, an organisation dedicated to supporting nations in their clean energy journeys and fostering global cooperation.
In 2025, the significance of this day is more pronounced than ever. For the first time, renewables are projected to become the world’s largest source of electricity.
Solar and wind energy are no longer niche alternatives; they are mainstream solutions, and their costs continue to fall.
However, this milestone must be met with realism – there is still much work to do.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has made it clear: the age of fossil fuels is drawing to a close, but governments must ensure that this transition is both swift and just. The climate crisis demands nothing less.
Countries must align their national energy and development strategies with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This means delivering on ambitious climate action plans, phasing out fossil fuels in a fair and structured manner, and working towards the global objective of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
The responsibility lies heavily on the shoulders of the world’s largest economies – the G20 nations – who possess both the financial and technological means to lead the charge. However, developing nations must not be left behind.
The shift to clean energy must be inclusive, ensuring that emerging markets receive the financial support and investment necessary to make renewables the norm rather than the exception.
This includes reforming international financial systems, increasing the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, and tackling the high cost of capital that often hinders sustainable projects in developing economies.
The clean energy revolution is not a distant dream; it is happening now. But the speed and fairness of this transition will determine whether we succeed in building a world where energy serves everyone – without costing the Earth.
The choices made today will shape the future for generations to come. – Features Desk
