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The document analyzes how the falling costs of variable renewable energy (VRE) and batteries impact the bioeconomy. It identifies competitive tensions in ground transport and power generation, where electrification may disrupt biofuel demand or create infrastructure lock-in. Conversely, it highlights complementary roles for biomass in 'hard-to-abate' sectors like aviation, marine transport, and heavy industry (steel and cement), as well as its value as a dispatchable energy source. In low-income countries, the brief suggests 'clean stacking' for cooking and the use of solar-powered appliances to enable bioeconomy value chains. Finally, it notes synergistic opportunities where low-cost renewable electricity can reduce the carbon footprint of biofuel production via electrolysis-based hydrogen.

The report examines the high cost and regressive nature of India's energy consumption subsidies, which totaled INR 87,830 crore (USD 13.1 billion) in 2017. It highlights a critical knowledge gap, as the last comprehensive distributional analysis is based on 2011 census data. The document proposes several targeting mechanisms, including opt-out schemes, volumetric quotas, categorical targeting based on social or geographic criteria, and the use of proxy means testing via income and asset data. It specifically analyzes the Ujjwala scheme's success in connection targeting and the challenges of sustained LPG usage among the poor due to ongoing consumption costs.

The report assesses how India's LPG subsidy schemes, specifically PAHAL (DBTL) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), affect poor women. It finds that while PMUY has increased LPG access and reduced drudgery—saving women an average of one hour per day—significant inefficiencies remain. Many poor households are still left behind due to affordability and distribution barriers, while a large share of consumption subsidies benefit wealthier households. The report recommends improving targeting, reviewing the PMUY loan system to ensure affordability for the poorest, and adopting a more holistic clean cooking strategy.

The report finds that investment in electricity access and clean cooking remains significantly below the levels required to achieve universal energy access by 2030. While USD 36 billion was committed to electricity access in high-impact countries, only USD 12.6 billion benefited residential customers, far short of the USD 51 billion annual need. Clean cooking investment is even more critical, with only USD 32 million tracked against an annual requirement of USD 4.4 billion. The report highlights a severe lack of investment in Sub-Saharan Africa and warns that continued financing of fossil fuel power plants is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and the SDGs.

The report identifies significant funding gaps for universal energy access, noting that 2017 electricity access finance for new households reached only a quarter of the required annual investment. It highlights critically low investment in Sub-Saharan Africa and a severe shortfall in clean cooking finance, which represents less than 1% of the needed amount. Additionally, it argues that continued investment in fossil fuel power plants is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and the SDGs.

The report examines the drivers of basic-needs deforestation, such as subsistence farming and woodfuel collection, and evaluates interventions like formalization, clean cooking technology, and REDD+ funding. It highlights the difficulty of measuring progress due to data gaps and emphasizes that successful interventions require social safeguards and good governance to protect livelihoods while reducing forest loss.

The report finds that while electricity finance in 20 high-impact countries reached a record USD 36 billion in 2017, it remains far below the USD 51 billion annual requirement for universal household access. Clean cooking finance saw a critical decline, dropping 73 percent in 2017 compared to the 2015-16 period. The analysis highlights a systemic failure to direct funds toward the most vulnerable, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, and emphasizes the need for innovative financing mechanisms like results-based financing and pay-per-service models to bridge the gap.

The report finds that while electricity finance reached a high of USD 36 billion in 2017, only one-third benefited residential users, and clean cooking finance plummeted by 73% compared to 2015-16. It highlights severe underinvestment in Sub-Saharan Africa and the need for innovative financing to reach vulnerable groups, including women and displaced persons.

The 2019 SEforALL Charrettes brought together diverse stakeholders in Amsterdam to address systemic barriers to SDG7. The resulting report outlines proposed solutions across four key areas: creating a viable private sector market for clean cooking, improving data and evidence for electrification, bridging the finance gap in high-impact countries, and increasing risk appetite for last-mile electricity access.

The report finds that Madagascar faces significant energy deficits, with grid expansion stagnating at 11.4% since 2010. To reach universal access by 2030, the document argues that a shift toward decentralized solar and mini-grids is essential, requiring a total investment of 2.3 billion dollars for off-grid electricity and improved cooking solutions. Key barriers include the low purchasing power of rural households, a lack of quality standards for solar products, and a heavy reliance on traditional biomass for cooking.

The report finds that USD 6.4 billion in total financing is required by 2030 to close the energy access gap in Madagascar, the Philippines, and Uganda. This includes USD 1.8 billion specifically for affordability gap financing. The analysis highlights a heavy reliance on stand-alone solar to reach the 'last mile' in Madagascar and Uganda, while the Philippines leverages a more advanced mini-grid sector. Across all three countries, the transition to clean cooking remains a significant challenge due to low adoption of industrial improved cookstoves (ICS) and high upfront costs for clean fuels like LPG.

The report finds that while electricity financing reached a record $36 billion in 2017, only about one-third benefited households, and clean cooking finance plummeted by 73% compared to 2015-2016. It highlights severe underinvestment in Sub-Saharan Africa and for vulnerable groups, while suggesting innovative financial mechanisms like results-based financing and crowdfunding to bridge the gap.

The report finds that while electricity finance reached a record USD 36 billion in 2017, it remains far below the USD 51 billion annual requirement for universal household access, with only one-third benefiting residential users. Clean cooking finance saw a severe decline, dropping 73 percent to USD 32 million in 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa remains critically under-invested, and the report highlights a lack of targeted funding for vulnerable groups, particularly women and displaced persons.

Madagascar faces a significant energy access gap, with grid expansion stagnating and clean cooking adoption among the lowest in Africa. To reach SDG7 by 2030, the country requires approximately USD 2.4 billion in total financing for off-grid electricity and improved cooking solutions. While stand-alone solar is the primary driver for electrification, reaching 84.8% of households requires USD 1.8 billion, including USD 662 million to address affordability gaps. Mini-grids are projected to reach 1.4% of households with USD 92 million in financing. In the clean cooking sector, 99% of households lack clean solutions; achieving universal access via industrial improved cookstoves (ICS) requires USD 148 million for enterprises and USD 217 million for affordability gap financing.

The Philippines has achieved nearly 90% household electrification, but reaching universal access by 2030 requires accelerating grid and off-grid technologies. Mini-grids and stand-alone solar are critical for the remotest areas, with a combined financing need of USD 1.25 billion for off-grid solar technologies. The clean cooking sector lacks a formal government policy, with 72% of households lacking full access. Achieving clean cooking targets will require USD 303 million in enterprise financing and USD 220 million in affordability gap financing for improved cookstoves (ICS). Key barriers include bureaucratic registration processes for energy providers, a lack of specific clean cooking targets, and limited local project-based financing for SMEs.

Uganda's energy access landscape is characterized by a 62% electricity access deficit and a high reliance on biomass for cooking (95%). To reach universal access by 2030, the report forecasts a need for USD 2.3 billion for off-grid electricity and improved cooking solutions. This includes USD 1.43 billion for stand-alone solar, USD 51 million for mini-grids, and USD 193 million for industrial cookstove enterprises, alongside significant affordability gap financing for consumers. Key barriers include unclear regulatory frameworks for mini-grids, a lack of quality standards for solar products, and high upfront costs for clean cooking technologies.

The world is making progress toward SDG 7 but is not on track to meet 2030 targets at current ambition levels. While electricity access has expanded significantly, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Kenya, Sub-Saharan Africa still faces a massive deficit. Clean cooking access is lagging due to population growth, and while renewable energy and energy efficiency are improving, they remain below the required rates to meet 2030 goals. Achieving these targets will require a substantial increase in annual investments across all three areas.

The report identifies a total financing need of USD 6.4 billion by 2030 for off-grid electricity and clean cooking solutions across Madagascar, the Philippines, and Uganda. It breaks down these needs into grants, equity, debt, and affordability gap financing, while analyzing the specific roles of mini-grids, stand-alone solar, and improved cookstoves in each national context.

Finance for energy access in 20 high-impact countries remains significantly below the levels required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 by 2030. While electricity finance reached a peak of USD 36 billion in 2017, only one-third benefited residential users. Clean cooking finance saw a dramatic 73% drop in 2017 compared to the 2015-16 average. The report highlights a critical under-investment in Sub-Saharan Africa and a reliance on large-scale grid projects over decentralized solutions. It also examines the specific barriers faced by women and displaced persons and explores innovative financing mechanisms like Result Based Financing and securitization to bridge the investment gap.

The SEI Environmental Strategy for Myanmar (2019-2028) establishes a framework for research, policy engagement, and capacity building across four primary themes: water resources and agriculture, gender and environment, sustainable energy, and climate change and disaster risk. The strategy aims to help Myanmar meet its commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Paris Agreement. Key objectives include enhancing the capacity of river basin organizations, promoting a just transition to low-carbon energy systems, and addressing gender inequalities in natural resource management. SEI intends to implement this through partnerships with state agencies, such as the Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems, and non-state actors, using tools like the Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) system.