IRENA Coalition for Action

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In January 2014, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and 35 players in renewable energy from around the world jointly established a Coalition for Action to promote the wider and faster uptake of renewable energy technologies.

The IRENA Coalition for Action forms a key international network to discuss industry trends, determine actions, share knowledge and exchange best practices with the vision to drive the global energy transition in line with the Sustainable Development Goal on energy. Its mission is to convene a global dialogue amongst non-governmental and governmental stakeholders to develop actions to increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix.

Today, the Coalition brings together over 120 leading renewable energy players including private sector companies, industry associations, civil society, research institutes and intergovernmental organisations.

IRENA acts as the Secretariat of the Coalition.

Activities and Working Groups

The Coalition offers a number of opportunities to engage in the below working groups and IRENA’s strategic and programmatic activities.

Business and Investors Group

Engages in activities that address barriers to scaling up renewable energy investments in both emerging and more mature markets. Building on its white paper on this topic, the Group conducts country-specific work in high-potential markets through expert webinars, country papers and public-private dialogues and puts forward key recommendations to policy makers.

Community Energy Group

Focuses on driving community energy investments and promoting policies that empower communities and citizens to participate in energy decision-making. Following the launch of its latest white paper on best practices in community energy, the Group continues to develop actionable insights and engage with stakeholders to scale up community energy initiatives around the world.

Decarbonising End-Use Sectors Group

Examines the decarbonisation of end-use sectors from the perspectives of policy, innovation, technology, socioeconomics and institutions, among others. The Group developed best practices and policy recommendations for green hydrogen (hydrogen from renewable resources) in its latest white paper and is currently undertaking work on green hydrogen certification.

Renewables in Agriculture Group

Analyses the opportunities and benefits of renewable energy solutions for agriculture in jointly advancing food security transformations and energy transitions. Following a joint statement for the UN Food Systems Summit to collectively rethink and readjust the production and consumption of food and energy, the Group provides actionable insights and engages with stakeholders to scale up projects integrating renewable energy in agriculture worldwide.

Sustainable Energy Jobs Group

Addresses knowledge gaps in sustainable energy jobs and provides analysis showcasing the energy transition’s ability to increase overall employment and benefit local economies where the necessary policies are in place. Formerly known as the Sustainable Energy Jobs Platform (SEJP), the Group also builds capacity through knowledge exchange and the sharing of best practices for a just and inclusive energy transition.

Towards 100% RE Group

Explores the roles of key actors, sectors and scenarios in energy transitions across the world. The Group has launched white papers on governments, utilities and industry transitioning towards 100% renewable energy and is currently focusing on the benefits and opportunities of sector coupling in accelerating the global energy transformation.

Coalition Events and Campaigns

17 January 2022

Coalition Annual Strategy Meeting 2022
The sixth Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting will take place virtually in conjunction with the 12th Session of the IRENA Assembly. This meeting will convene Coalition members to strategically discuss how the work of the Coalition can build on the success of 2021. Members will also decide the Coalition work programme for 2022 and main action deliverables. This is a closed meeting for Coalition members only.
13 January 2022

IRENA Public-Private Dialogue 2022 – Renewable energy and circular economy: Focus on end-of-life management of renewables
The fifth IRENA Public-Private Dialogue will convene policy makers, legislators, and members of the Coalition for Action to discuss circular economy and end-of-life management considerations for renewables, as well as what actions are needed from governments and the energy industry to accelerate global progress towards unlocking the benefits of a truly sustainable renewable energy sector.

28 September 2021

Coalition for Action Mid-Year Strategy Meeting (Coalition members only)

This virtual mid-year meeting convened Coalition for Action members for a strategic discussion on the Coalition’s work to date, planned activities for COP26, and upcoming outputs and deliverables. Meeting participants discussed future activities of the Coalition, including a forthcoming Call to Action on sustainable energy jobs and skills for a just and inclusive energy transition leading up to COP26.
22 September 2021

Joint Statement: Advancing Renewables in Agriculture to Meet SDGs and Climate Objectives

In the lead up to the UN Food Systems Summit and High-Level Dialogue on Energy, the Coalition for Action issued a joint statement urging stakeholders across sectors to break down silos and collectively advance a renewables-based energy transition and food systems transformation. The statement highlights that a joint approach to achieving SDG 2 and SDG 7 can deliver significant socio-economic and environmental dividends.
27 May 2021

2021 IRENA Policy Talk 2 – Green hydrogen supply: Policies and practical insights

This webinar gathered public and private stakeholders to discuss key opportunities and challenges in scaling up green hydrogen, focusing on the role of supply-side policies. The webinar also featured companies that are developing projects to showcase green hydrogen’s potential to decarbonise energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sectors. Discussions highlighted key findings from the Coalition for Action white paper Decarbonising end-use sectors: Practical insights on green hydrogen and the IRENA report Green hydrogen supply: A guide to policy making.
15 April 2021

Financing Community Energy: Unlocking the Finance Needed to Speed Up Renewables Development in Europe

This joint webinar by the Coalition for Action and the EU Community Power Coalition discussed the role of community energy as a driver of a green energy transition, under what conditions projects can be financed, and how to create a favourable environment for community energy financing in Europe. Please click here for a recording of the webinar.
25 February 2021

Companies in Transition Towards 100% Renewable Energy: Focus on Heating and Cooling

This webinar gathered public and private sector stakeholders to discuss key opportunities and challenges faced by companies setting and implementing corporate renewable energy heating and cooling targets, including how policies can be designed to effectively encourage the use of renewable heating and cooling in industry. Discussions highlighted key findings of the Coalition for Action white paper Companies in transition towards 100% renewable energy: Focus on heating and cooling. Please click here for a copy of the presentation from the webinar.
25 January 2021

Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting 2021

The fifth Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting took place in conjunction with the 11th Session of the IRENA Assembly. This was a closed meeting for Coalition members only.
14 January 2021

IRENA Public-Private Dialogue 2021

At the 11th Session of the IRENA Assembly, the fourth IRENA Public-Private Dialogue convened policymakers, legislators, and members of the Coalition for Action to discuss COVID-19 impacts and responses to date, as well as what actions are urgently needed from governments and the energy industry to accelerate global progress towards just and equitable energy transitions.
09 December 2020

2020 IRENA Policy Talk 4 – Stimulating Investment in Community Energy

IRENA’s Policy Talks are a series of online events providing a forum for sharing experiences and best practices in renewable energy policy design and implementation to support the efficient deployment of renewables and the maximisation of the benefits realised. This webinar focused on community energy and the findings of the Coalition for Action white paper Stimulating Investment in Community Energy: Broadening the ownership of renewables.
07 December 2020 | Global Campaign

Renewed Call to Action Joint Communication Campaign

Many countries have yet to take decisive actions to move towards a green recovery from COVID-19. Building on its campaign from April 2020, the Coalition for Action jointly put forward a renewed call to action urging governments to correct course by taking six actions to align their economic recovery with climate plans, deliver on their commitments under the Paris Agreement, and come back stronger from the pandemic.
13 October 2020

Coalition for Action Mid-Year Strategy Meeting (Coalition members only)

This virtual mid-year meeting convened Coalition for Action members to assess where we are with the green recovery, focusing on developments in the renewable energy sector since the Coalition launched its joint Call to Action in Response to COVID-19 in April 2020. Meeting participants also discussed the potential future work of the Coalition in preparation for the Coalition for Action 2021 Annual Strategy Meeting.
28 April 2020 | Global Campaign

COVID-19 Call to Action Joint Communication Campaign

The Coalition for Action put forward a campaign including a joint statement urging governments to take eight key actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign builds on highlighting progress made in renewable energy to ensure a rapid and sustained economic recovery that aligns with global climate and sustainability objectives.
07 April 2020 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Webinar – COVID-19 and beyond: Impact on the renewable energy sector

Over 100 individuals representing nearly 50 entities took part in a webinar to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the renewable energy sector and exchange their views on what collective actions are needing to set the course for an inclusive, low-carbon economy. Please click here for a summary of the webinar.
13 January 2020 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting 2020

The fourth IRENA Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting took place in conjunction with the 10th Session of the IRENA Assembly and the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. This was a closed meeting for Coalition members only.
10 January 2020 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

IRENA Public-Private Dialogue 2020

At the 10th Session of the IRENA Assembly, the third IRENA Public-Private Dialogue consisted of two dynamic sessions, convening policymakers, legislators, and members of the Coalition for Action. The first session discussed opportunities to increase variable renewable energy penetration with a focus on power market setup and supporting policies. The second session discussed barriers in African energy markets that need to be addressed in order for the private sector to work closer with governments and expand investments in renewable energy while maximizing socio-economic benefits and prosperity.
27 June 2019 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

IRENA Policy Day 2019

The IRENA Policy Day took place in Abu Dhabi in conjunction with the 17^th IRENA Council, and provided a forum for renewable energy policy dialogue where countries and stakeholders had the opportunity to share experiences and disseminate best practices in policy-making to ensure the efficient deployment of renewable energy, and the maximization of the benefits realized. Participants included IRENA Member States, Coalition for Action members, policy-makers and experts.
10 January 2019 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting 2019

The third Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting took place in conjunction with the IRENA Assembly and the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. This was a closed meeting for Coalition members only.
10 January 2019 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Public-Private Dialogue on Actions Needed to Accelerate the Energy Transformation

Based on a presentation of the IRENA Coalition for Action White Papers – Towards 100% Renewable Energy and Financing Community Energy - the dialogue highlighted key opportunities and challenges in expanding renewable energy markets worldwide, and the need for better alignment between policy-makers, legislators, and the private sector in order to maximise socio-economic and community benefits. Participants included government representatives, legislators, and Coalition for Action members.
02 – 14 December 2018 | Global Campaign

COP24 Katowice Joint Communication Campaign #Renewables4Climate

#Renewables4Climate is a global initiative to raise awareness about renewable energy as a key solution to climate change. The initiative was launched by the IRENA Coalition for Action for the second year in a row and coincided with the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP24) in Katowice, where renewables were highlighted as one of the critical means of keeping the rise in global temperature below 2 or even 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
01 July – 01 October 2018 | Global Campaign

UN HLPF 2018 Joint Communication Campaign: #Renewables4Development

#Renewables4Development is a global initiative that highlights the central role of renewable energy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The campaign was launched by the IRENA Coalition for Action to coincide with the United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2018 where the implementation of the 2030 sustainable goals including SDG 7 on energy was reviewed.
16 January 2018 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Coalition for Action Annual Strategy Meeting 2018

The second Annual Strategy Meeting of the Coalition took place in conjunction with the IRENA Assembly and the World Future Energy Summit. This was a closed meeting.
12 January 2018 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Public Private Dialogue on Unlocking Renewable Energy Investment Worldwide: Perspectives on Key Challenges and Opportunities
(at the Eighth session of the IRENA Assembly)

This dialogue aimed to build common understanding and encourage commentary actions between the public and private sector. The event highlighted key opportunities and challenges in growing renewable energy markets worldwide, and the need for better alignment between government, legislators, and industry.
06 – 17 November 2017 | Global Campaign

COP23 Joint Communication Campaign: #Renewables4Climate

#Renewables4Climate is a global initiative to raise awareness about renewable energy as a key solution to climate change. The initiative has been launched by the IRENA Coalition for Action to coincide with the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP23), where renewables are highlighted as one of the critical means to keep the global temperature rise below 2 or even 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
07 – 08 July 2017 | Global Campaign

G20 Joint Communication Campaign: Socio-economic Benefits of Renewable Energy

To highlight the socio-economic benefits of renewables and its wider contribution to the SDGs, a social-media campaign was launched by the IRENA Coalition for Action to coincide with the G20 meeting in Hamburg. The campaign was translated into several languages and had a total reach of approximately 60 million.

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Supported Events and Campaigns

24 – 26 November 2021 | New Delhi, India

World Wind Energy Conference 2021 (WWEC2021)
Co-hosted by Coalition members World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), WWEC2021 will focus on the energy transition propelled by renewable energy advancements particularly in wind and solar industries. The Coalition’s latest white paper Community Energy Toolkit: Best practices for broadening the ownership of renewables will be launched during the conference on 25 November.
10 November 2021 | Glasgow, UK

Raising a bar for climate action - Just Transition and Sustainable Jobs
The COP26 UNFCCC side event will take place on 10 November 2021 and see the launch of the 2021/22 Jobs Factsheet Edition.

16 September 2021

Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy

The Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy is an industry-led global alliance promoting sustainability and social responsibility in the renewable energy industry by defining standards and KPIs in line with SDGs; disseminating and activating funding and collaboration frameworks; promoting supportive regulation; and launching tailored initiatives.
24 February 2021

Joint Statement on the Reversal of Mexico’s Clean Energy Transition

In a joint statement, Coalition members Global Solar Council (GSC) and Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) urge the Government of Mexico to restore policy stability and legal certainty to Mexico’s renewable energy sector.
24 February 2021

Powering up energy investments in fragile states: A call to action

The Council for State Fragility and the g7+ group call on national governments, aid agencies, the private sector, multilateral institutions, and development finance institutions to support recovery from COVID-19 in fragile states through expanding clean energy access.
25 – 26 November 2020

Colombia Wind Power 2020

Co-organised by Coalition members Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and SER Colombia, Colombia Wind Power 2020 is the third edition of the official industry event for the local and international wind industry in Colombia.
30 June 2020 | Berlin, Germany

Request to Adapt European Energy Planning Scenarios

In its request, the Renewables Grid Initiative, an IRENA Coalition for Action member, asks that Europe’s Ten Year Network Development Plan includes scenarios compatible with the Paris Agreement, the priorities of the European Green Deal, and the European Council's decision to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
06 May 2020 | Brussels, Belgium

Wind Power a cornerstone of the Global Economic Recovery – “Re-building Better” for the future

In its statement, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), an IRENA Coalition for Action member, highlights the role of wind energy in the global economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis.
16 April 2020 | Brussels, Belgium

Call to Action: Roadmap for the DRE sector to survive and flourish in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis

In its call to action, the Alliance for Rural Electrification, an IRENA Coalition for Action member, outlines how governments, funders and philanthropies can support decentralised renewable energy projects and safeguard the future of the decentralised renewable energy sector.
28 – 29 May 2019 | Bonn, Germany

4th International Community Wind Symposium and Community Power Forum 2019

WWEA and LEE NRW organised this event, which brought together renewable energy and community power experts from around the world to discuss how new alliances can help community power play a key role in the renewable energy transition.
08 – 10 November 2018 | Bamako, Mali

2nd World Community Power Conference

WWEA and the Mali Folkecenter, together with the ISEP, hosted this event which brought together large numbers of national, regional and international community power stakeholders to provide a launch pad for the community power concept in Africa.

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Releases

Country papers: Scaling up Renewables Investment in High-Potential Markets

Based on its engagement on the ground, the Coalition Business and Investors Group has put together country-specific papers with recommendations to enable the scaling up of renewable energy investments. See country papers for Algeria (2020), Colombia (2020), Jordan (2020), India (2021), Mexico (2021), Tunisia (2020), South Africa (2021) and Viet Nam (2020).

Community Energy Toolkit: Best practices for broadening the ownership of renewables

Using a case study approach, this white paper analyses 11 renewable energy initiatives from across the world, showcasing best practices and the various socio-economic impacts to societies. Drawing learnings from the case studies, a checklist with key questions across seven dimensions is intended to help communities to take the first steps towards identifying their needs and developing their vision in line with their core values while accounting for the environment they are operating in. The key takeaways from 11 featured case studies may serve as inspiration for communities on how to set their initiatives up for success.

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IRENA Coalition for Action Members

Since its formation in 2014, the IRENA Coalition for Action has grown to consist of over 120 members, including private sector companies, industry associations, civil society, research institutes and intergovernmental organisations.

The Coalition is open to legal entities supporting the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, and meeting the requirements outlined in the Coalition for Action Structure Document.

To become a member of the Coalition for Action, please fill out the membership form and email it to coalition@irena.org.