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Failing to Learn from Failure is Undermining Energy Access

2 March 2022

ISR Associate Professor Julia Tomei has co-authored a piece looking at Failing to Learn from Failure is Undermining Energy Access: Why the Lack of Transparent Discussion is Putting SDG7 at Risk.

Two lidded pans on an open fire

ISR Deputy Director Dr Julia Tomei has co-authored a guest article for Next Billion entitled: Failing to Learn from Failure is Undermining Energy Access: Why the Lack of Transparent Discussion is Putting SDG7 at Risk. The piece covers understanding failure in energy and development, the importance of learning from failure, and a pivotal moment for event access. Read an introductory snippet below or read the whole piece here.

In 2019, close to 760 million people did not have access to electricity, and around 4 billion still lacked access to clean, efficient, convenient, safe, reliable and affordable energy for cooking. Due to COVID-19 and the lockdowns and economic turmoil it has caused, these numbers are likely to be even higher today.

Yet despite this clear and growing need, projects that contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) of “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” frequently fail. These failures go unreported all too often. As a result, mistakes or ineffective approaches are repeated rather than learned from. This is a major problem given that SDG7 comprises two of the biggest energy-related challenges facing society: the global transition to sustainable energy, and the provision of universal energy access. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between diverse actors and an open conversation about what does – and does not – work.

Read the full piece

Originally posted on Next Billion website