Fund scope

Energy is inextricably linked to climate change and many other SDGs, including poverty eradication, food security, health, education, prosperity, gender equality, jobs, transport, ocean, water and sanitation, and the empowerment of women and youth. However, without urgent action the world will fall short of SDG7 achievement as close to 800 million people still lack access to electricity at present, and three billion people do not have clean cooking solutions (which disproportionally affects women).

Although the investment in renewables is expected to outpace those in fossil fuel by a wide margin, notwithstanding the fallout linked to COVID-19, greater efforts are needed since renewables continue to lag behind in industries like transport, resource extraction, heating and cooling. Progress around the world has largely been uneven, with “energy poverty” prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and global energy-related activity being responsible for more than two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) 2019 identified “energy decarbonization with universal access” as one of the entry points that offer the most promise for transforming sustainable development at the necessary scale and speed required to achieve. The UN-Energy MPTF, inspired by the Sustainable Energy for All fund, is designed to support activities aimed at accelerating progress towards SDG7 and 2030 Agenda—in line with Paris Agreement commitments. The MPTF supports UN-driven energy activities that strengthen political will, increase energy investments, broaden existing networks, and scale-up multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Strategic framework

Achieving SDG 7 requires catalyzing strong climate action and supporting the achievement of other SDGs. Stakeholder action needs to be accelerated in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Agreement throughout the Decade of Action, following recommendations that come out of the Climate Action Summit follow-up and 2021 High-level Dialogue on Energy.

To increase the speed and level of engagement and commitment around SDG 7 the UN-Energy MPTF has two clearly defined funding windows that support UN action at the global and country levels.

• Global window. The UN-Energy MPTF uses this window to support the global activities of Recipient Organizations and mobilise all stakeholders to deliver on global advocacy, policy analysis/guidance, knowledge management, and those in support of the 2021 High-level Dialogue on Energy.  
• Country window. Under this window, the fund supports actions carried out within the scope of the UN-Energy work plan priorities for 2021/2022, in particular those in support of energy compacts. It is meant as a vehicle for partners to improve in-country coordination, technical assistance, capacity building, project development and facilitate access to investment resources—creating innovative measures based on national ownership and in-country demand. Accelerating country action is a critical measure for an initiative that seeks to engage all countries in achieving three critical objectives.  

Governance arrangements

• Co-chairs. UN-Energy Co-chairs—the SRSG of SE4All and UNDP Administrator—are accountable for outcomes related to fund-supported activities. The day-to-day responsibility for MPTF governance will be delegated to nominees from UNDP and the SRSG of SE4ALL who will oversee the planning, managing and implementation of the UN-Energy MPTF-supported activities.
• Programme Review Committee. Functions of Programme Review Committee are to review funding proposals to ensure coherence with the UN-Energy work plan for 2021/2022, recommend proposals for approval, and support mobilisation of financing for the fund, as needed.
• Secretariat. Responsible for coordination functions of the fund and supports the Co-chairs and Programme Review Committee in the provision of planning, logistical and operational support. Serving as UN-Energy’s central point of contact, members of the Secretariat liaise with UN organizations and stakeholders, provide vital information to external partners, expand partnerships to mobilize resources in accordance with approved strategies, and consolidates annual and final narrative reports on fund activities.
• Administrative Agent. Recipient Organizations receive funds through the Administrative Agent, the MPTF Office. The Administrative Agent is responsible for the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors, disbursement of funds to Recipient Organizations, and consolidation and dissemination of progress reports to donors.
• Recipient Organizations. Programme implementation is the responsibility of each Recipient Organization. Each organization is programmatically and financially responsible for resources received.

 Focus on impact and results

Under the direction the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sustainable Energy for All fund and UNDP Administrator, the UN-Energy MPTF supports activities that accelerate progress towards SDG7 and 2030 Agenda achievement. Results are aligned with UN-Energy work plan priorities for 2021/2022, national frameworks, and Paris Agreement commitments.