The world’s leading renewable associations have issued a joint statement setting out policy priorities for a green recovery involving accelerated clean energy deployment.

Under the banner of the International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN Alliance), the five associations representing the bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind power industries say a world powered 100% by renewable energy will only be achieved by greater technology integration.

“Together, the renewable energy technologies are greater than the sum of their parts. A significant increase of investment in renewables will fuel economic growth, create employment and contribute to a climate-safe future,” they say.

The alliance’s six-point joint statement calls for

• Accelerated renewables deployment, especially in heating, cooling and transportation, also by connecting all sectors
• Substantial financial incentives for renewables to create a competitive advantage for end-users and encourage self-supply
• Additional benefits and services of renewables to be considered when designing market mechanisms, not just lowest price
• Broader policy frameworks devoted to a just and inclusive energy transition
• Development of green skills and renewable jobs offered to communities
• Mapping and promotion of the health benefits of a green energy-based economy

Read the joint statement

The International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN Alliance) brings together five renewable industry organisations to promote the use of renewable energy technologies worldwide: the International Hydropower Association, the International Geothermal Association, the International Solar Energy Society, the World Bioenergy Association, and the World Wind Energy Association.

The goal of the REN Alliance is to foster collaboration among renewables, promoting successful implementation strategies, enhancing business conditions and developing markets. This is done by providing reliable information to inform decision-making nationally and internationally to further the principles and goals set out in the 2004 Bonn Declaration on Renewable Energies.

Last week the REN Alliance hosted an online conference together with senior representatives of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the REN21 think tank. The organisations examined how renewable industries, working together, can scale up climate action and accelerate access to clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy for all. Watch the webinar

In 2019, renewables contributed just over a quarter (27.3 per cent) of total global electricity production according to REN21’s Global Status Report. Hydropower is the single largest contributor of clean electricity at 15.9 per cent, followed by wind power (5.9 per cent), solar photovoltaics (2.8 per cent), bioenergy (2.2 per cent) and geothermal and other sources (0.4 per cent).

Read more about IHA’s work to promote a green economic recovery, including our paper on hydropower and Covid-19.