Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is the aim of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7). This goal is therefore a driving force in human development and well being, strengthening institutional trust and peacebuilding. At the same time, energy poverty is closely linked to fragility, instability, marginalization and weakened political systems. SDG16 aims to combat all these while also strengthening institutional trust and peace building. The synergies between SDG7 and SDG16 are therefore clear, with the Global Platform for Action (GPA) on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings a good example of this common interest. The GPA was launched in 2018 and is steered by its 15 members. These include both United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). By building partnerships to scale renewable energy in humanitarian and displacement contexts, the GPA also improves livelihoods, reduces emissions and strengthens institutional trust. This policy brief sets out the linkages between SDG7 and SDG16 further, while presenting the following recommendations to strengthen their synergies and achievements.
