Access to basic, clean energy services is essential for sustainable development and poverty eradication, and provides major benefits in the areas of health, literacy and equity. However, over two billion people today have no access to modern energy services.

The issue of energy choice is fundamental to the great challenge facing the world at the beginning of the 21st century – how to eliminate the obscene levels of poverty without further polluting the planet. Practical Action believes that there does not have to be a trade-off between human development and the environment. Millions can be lifted out of poverty without ruining the planet with the help of clean sustainable energy.