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 100 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 emerging markets. Building on its white paper on this topic, the Group conducts country-specific work in high-potential markets through public-private dialogues and capacity building.

Community Energy Group

Focuses on driving community energy investments and promoting policies that empower communities and citizens to participate in energy decision-making. After launching a white paper on best practices for community energy, the Group is developing actionable insights and engaging with stakeholders to scale up community energy practices around the world.

Decarbonising End-Use Sectors Group

Examines the decarbonisation of end-use sectors from multiple perspectives such as policy, innovation, technological, socio-economic, institutional, among others. The Group is currently developing best practices and policy recommendations on green hydrogen (hydrogen from renewable resources).

Towards 100% RE Group

Having launched white papers on governments and utilities transitioning to 100% renewable energy, the Group continues to build momentum for renewables by examining the roles of other key actors in the energy transformation.

Coalition Events and Campaigns

13 October 2020

Coalition for Action Mid-Year Strategy Meeting (Coalition members only)
This virtual mid-year meeting will convene 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 will also discuss the potential future work of the Coalition in preparation for the Coalition for Action 2021 Annual Strategy Meeting.
28 April 2020 | Abu Dhabi, UAE

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. Links to Coalition member statements and publications on the COVID-19 pandemic can be accessed here.

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

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 Renewable Energy Investment in Emerging 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, Colombia, Jordan, Tunisia and Viet Nam.

Call to Action in Response to COVID-19: Renewable Energy is a Key Part of the Solution

Renewable energy can play a key role in the economic recovery from COVID-19 by ensuring energy security, creating jobs and strengthening resilience to safeguard people’s health and welfare. This statement contains eight key actions that governments should take to ensure economic recovery that aligns with global climate and sustainability objectives.

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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 100 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.