Despite continued disruptions in economic activity and supply chains, renewable energy was the only energy source to grow through the pandemic, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
However, these positive global and regional trends in renewable energy have left behind many countries most in need of electricity, it found.
This was aggravated by a decrease in international financial flows for the second year in a row, falling to US$10.9bn (€10.2bn) in 2019.
IRENA director general Francesco La Camera (pictured) said: “International public financing for renewable energy needs to accelerate, especially in the poorest, most vulnerable countries.
“We have failed to support those most in need.
“With only eight years left to achieve universal access to affordable and sustainable energy, we need radical actions to accelerate the increase of international public financial flows and distribute them in a more equitable manner, so 733 million people who are currently left behind can enjoy the benefits of clean energy access.”