The implementation of measures for the energy transition must consider local social, economic and cultural dynamics, ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity or status, has equitable access to modern energy services. It is crucial that historically disadvantaged communities have access to social protection, education, mentoring, professional networks, credit, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Training through formal education, vocational training and the empowerment of local communities in decision-making processes on resource use and benefit-sharing is essential for an inclusive energy transition.
Energy poverty is defined as the situation in which a household cannot continuously and safely meet its basic energy needs, affecting the quality of life and development of the people who live in it. Currently, nearly 800 million people in the world do not have access to electricity, and approximately 2.6 billion do not have access to clean cooking fuels. What specific steps can governments and businesses take to ensure that the energy transition does not exacerbate energy poverty and instead improves equitable access to energy for the most vulnerable households?
