The global energy system is the single largest contributor to climate change, and reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from energy is of paramount global importance to avoid catastrophic climate change. But increasing access to modern energy services for the 1.2 billion people who have none is a global imperative as well. Access to energy increases incomes, improves heath, healthcare, education, and security, and reduces labour-intensive practices of all kinds. This paper emphasizes the fundamental importance of including both issues in climate planning and provides recommendations on how decision-makers and institutions can quickly and effectively address both issues simultaneously.