Join leading experts from around the world for a discussion on the political economy of energy access and innovative policy solutions.

Event Recording

For decades, countries around the world have tried to reform the energy sector and universalize access to electricity. But today, 1.1 billion people still live without power, and millions more must contend with inadequate connections or frequent outages. Such limited access and poor service quality frustrate sustainable development efforts.

Without stronger, more reliable connections, small businesses’ productivity plummets, healthcare workers cannot administer refrigerated vaccines and children must study in the dark.

Governments, donors and companies are mobilizing billions of dollars to accelerate the pace of electrification and extend access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to all. But realizing these goals is as much a political challenge as it is a technical one.

Improving energy access needed to drive environmentally friendly growth hinges not just on new technologies and market shifts, but also on policy priorities, effective policy implementation and public-private collaboration. So what political economy dynamics need to change in order for these investments to succeed?

Join leading energy experts from around the world for a conversation on the challenges of promoting inclusive energy access and the political economy dynamics within the energy sector. Together, they will profile innovative reforms that policymakers around the world can adopt to accelerate progress on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Speakers

  • Vivien Foster, Global Lead (Energy Economics, Markets and Institutions) and Practice Manager, Energy & Extractives, World Bank
  • Andrew Barnett, Director, The Policy Practice
  • Shantanu Dixit, Group Coordinator, Prayas (Energy Group)
  • Estomih. N. Sawe, Executive Director, TaTEDO
  • Moderated by: Davida Wood, Senior Associate, Energy Access and Governance, World Resources Institute

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About the Series

WRI’s Greening Governance Seminar Series explores how good governance – inclusive, transparent decision-making processes, equal access to justice, strong institutions and a vibrant civil society – not only help policymakers advance more effective, equitable policies, but also implement ambitious commitments like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

Greening Governance seminars bring diverse panels of experts together to grapple with tough questions and identify successful strategies at the intersection of governance, environmental sustainability and human well-being. Interested in attending or watching remotely? Subscribe to our Greening Governance newsletter and follow us on Twitter to stay updated on upcoming events.