The Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition: Pathways and Progress Report

Successful implementation of the Paris Agreement and the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG7 on affordable and clean energy, are intrinsically linked. Key goals of SDG7 include achieving universal access to energy by 2030 and substantially increasing the share of renewable energy globally. The Paris Agreement targets limiting global warming to well below 2°C and preferably to 1.5°C compared to preindustrial levels by 2050 by the decarbonisation of our economies, requiring a transition of our energy sources from non-renewable hydrocarbon-based fuels to non-carbon fuels, which will primarily be renewable energy. This transition will entail major changes in our economies and to our lifestyles and change of this magnitude at the required pace will be challenging, bringing significant disruption, uncertainties and opportunities. Progress is being made towards these goals, but there is a consensus that it is not happening fast enough to meet the targets of SDG7 or the Paris Agreement.