This is a Bulletin special series: Through the Lens, a podcast series analyzing global issues through the lens of the United Nations.

Join us as we explore the United Nations, its mission, and its future. In each episode, we will pick apart a resolution passed by the 75th General Assembly and find out what is going on in our world, how the pre-eminent international body is seeking to address mounting conflicts and dilemmas, and what challenges remain.

About this episode

The 2020 UN Resolution of “ensuring access to energy for all” has the goal of a fair energy transition and ensuring energy access to the Global South. This episode is an analysis of the effect this resolution can have. Former UN initiatives like UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement are indispensable; however, the 2020 resolution lacks key elements to be effective. The sovereign right of nations leads to free riding and carbon leakage, and this needs to be addressed. Initiatives like C-BAM of the EU try to solve it, but a faster and more inclusive action leads to complete energy transition. Experts such as Ms. Sylvia Weko and Dr. Andreas Goldthau emphasize on a strategy shift in terms of bottom-up approach and public-private partnership. Hence, creating a forum with actors like enterprises, the financial sector, and nonprofits could be a solution. The significance of the UN as a resonance chamber for ideas is undeniable. The UN can stir international debate about issues and paves way for a real change.

About the special series

This podcast special series is a result of the class "Analyzing Global Issues through the Lens of the United Nations: A Podcast" held by Dr. Pau Palop-Garcia at the Brandt School.

Dr. Palop-Garcia is a Research Fellow at the Brandt School since 2021. You can find more about him here.

About the authors

This episode was written and produced by Brandt School students Geena George and Jesus Renzullo.

~ The views represented in this blog post do not necessarily represent those of the Brandt School. ~