Syllabus:

GS-2: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment  

Context: 

As per the UN report, Asia-Pacific is on track for universal electricity access by 2030, but clean cooking and renewables lag. 

About the Report 

• The Regional Trends Report on Energy for Sustainable Development, titled “Transforming energy systems for a low-carbon future in Asia and the Pacific,” was released by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
• The report aims to inform strategic planning by offering evidence-based insights and actionable pathways to accelerate energy transitions aligned with SDG 7 and climate goals.
• The energy report is a data-driven, solution-focused assessment of Asia-Pacific's progress on SDG 7 and Paris Agreement goals.
• It focuses on Asia Pacific’s energy landscape as the region is responsible for more than half of global energy consumption, 62.4% of greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Asia-Pacific Energy Landscape: The region’s energy mix remains dominated by fossil fuels, while electricity demand is projected to triple by 2050. 

• By 2024, regional renewable energy capacity reached nearly 2.6 TW, accounting for 61% of global investment in renewables.

• Electrification rate: It rose to 98.6% in 2023, leaving around 50 million people still without power. 

• Urban access is almost universal, while rural coverage has reached 97.4%. 

• Clean Cooking Fuels: The coverage has increased from 38% in 2000 to 78.9% in 2023, yet nearly a billion people in the region still depend on polluting fuels like biomass, charcoal, and kerosene.

• In rural households, only 63.6% use clean cooking fuel as compared with over 92% in the cities. 

• Renewable Energy: Renewable electricity capacity rose from 568 GW in 2013 to 1,785 GW in 2023, with per capita capacity tripling from 151 to 451 watts.

• Despite growth, renewables remain a small part of the energy mix, 16.3% of total supply and only 11.2% of final energy use in 2022.
• Fossil fuels make up 85% of the region’s energy, with coal leading in many countries. 

• Energy Efficiency: Asia-Pacific is more energy intense than other global regions.

Barriers in achieving SDG 7

• Subsidy Distortion: Continued subsidies for fossil fuels make them cheaper than clean alternatives, discouraging renewable adoption.
• Weak Grid Infrastructure: Unreliable and underdeveloped grids limit effective electricity access, especially in rural areas.
• Limited Access to Green Finance: High upfront costs and limited access to climate finance hinder clean energy investments.
• Lack of Awareness and Regulation: Low public awareness and weak regulatory enforcement slow the shift to clean energy solutions.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)

• UNESCAP is a UN regional body that promotes economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. 
• It fosters regional cooperation and provides technical assistance and policy advice to its member states. 
• The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. 
• ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations and is responsible for following up on the progress of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the regional level.
• Established in 1947 and headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand 

Sources:

Down To Earth
Repository
Unescap