16/09/2021

SNV and Dutch partners join the NL Energy Compact to accelerate access to electricity and clean cooking for all

woman using a clean cookstove

On Wednesday 15 September, the Dutch government hosted an event to celebrate the launch of the NL Energy Compact committing to accelerating SDG7 action, initiated by the Netherlands as Global Champion towards the 2021 UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy.

Over twenty Dutch public and private organisations including SNV have developed this joint NL Energy Compact to underline support to low and middle-income countries for just and inclusive energy transitions, to reach the SDG7 goals by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.

The launch event marked the start of a decade of joint action on SDG7, where the partners from public, private, academic and civil society joined forces with a view to tracking and accelerating progress towards access to electricity and clean cooking for everyone. The NL Energy Compact will be a continuous process and a living document, open to adjustment and new participants.

By harnessing the power of collaboration between government, private sector, civil society, finance, knowledge institutions and youth, the Netherlands strives to accelerate action on the following themes:

  • Increasing universal access to clean cooking

  • Increasing universal access to electricity

  • Funding clean energy through investment and finance

  • Supporting displaced people due to conflicts, natural disasters, or climate change

  • Empowering women and youth

The launch event was introduced by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Tom de Bruijn and René van Hell, director for Inclusive Green Growth of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. SNV CEO Simon O’ Connell speaking at the event, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to the compact and stated that ‘SNV is proud to join the NL Energy Compact, and commits to harnessing our long-term, local presence in developing countries to facilitate the adoption of proven, locally-led, inclusive development approaches towards universal access to clean energy’.

Minister Tom de Bruijn will present the NL Energy Compact at the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy on Sept 24th, 2021, a unique summit convened by the UN General Assembly in New York, to discuss the energy theme at the summit level for the first time in four decades. The dialogue aims to accelerate SDG7 action for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Netherlands plays a pioneering role in this process aimed at providing access to clean and sustainable energy also for the poorest.

To read the compact and see a list of organisations that have joined, please visit the NL Platform website.

For further information, please contact Rianne Teule, Senior Energy Advocacy Officer.