The conference establishing the International Agency for Renewable Energies (IRENA) will be held in Bonn on January 26 2009 (programme). About 80 states have so far committed to participate, many of whom will be sending high-level representatives to Bonn. Nearly half these states will sign the founding treaty.
Mandated by governments worldwide, IRENA aims at becoming the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale. Acting as the global voice for renewable energies, IRENA will provide practical advice and support for both industrialised and developing countries, help them improve their regulatory frameworks and build capacity. The agency will facilitate access to all relevant information including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technological expertise.
IRENA will develop comprehensive solutions, such as fostering all types of renewable energy, and consider various renewable energy policies on the local, regional, and national level. Additionally, IRENA will consider the specific environmental, economic and socio-cultural conditions. Lastly, it will involve stakeholders from the energy industry, academia, institutions and civil society. IRENA will regularly consult and cooperate with organisations and networks already engaged in the field of renewable energy in order to complement and pool their work resources, hereby creating added value.
IRENA was founded on Australia Day this year, a few days ago, and the Rudd Government shunned this initiative.
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Why a new international organisation?
In the 1950s the desire to exploit the opportunities offered by a new energy source led to the foundation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the 1970s, the fear of shortages arising in fossil fuel supply prompted the foundation of another organisation – the International Energy Agency (IEA).Today there are new challenges impacting on the global energy supply, as described in more detail in Chapter 2 above. These challenges require urgent changes in the global energy structure, and a transformation to a sustainable energy system. Key players must be present in order to change the current mindsets on the international level and promote renewable energies worldwide. IRENA is the first international organisation to solely concentrate on renewable energy and offer support to industrialised and developing countries alike. A combination of both is needed in order to set the course for a low-carbon, sustainable, clean and safe energy use.
