REview for Parliamentarians

Cities are critical to the global energy transition. While renewable energy deployment measures in the power sector are often developed in the context of national-level policies, many measures relevant to end uses, such as in the buildings and transport sectors, are taken at the city level. It is important to build the capacity of cities to identify renewable energy solutions that suit their particular circumstances and needs, and to integrate these solutions in urban planning processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated people’s lives around the world. On top of the tragic death toll, widespread lockdown measures have thrown the global economy into a severe crisis – one set to become the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Policy makers now have a unique chance – to align short-term investments, regulations and policies with the long-term need for decarbonised economies and societies. By placing energy transitions at the centre of national recovery plans, governments can alleviate the current economic downturn and simultaneously tackle the climate crisis.

The fifth IRENA Legislators Forum held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in conjunction with the Agency’s tenth annual Assembly gathered more than 75 Members of Parliament from over 30 countries. The participants discussed actions to advance the adoption and effective implementation of national policies that contribute to mitigation and adaptation efforts and support gender empowerment through the deployment of renewable energy.

The widespread adoption of renewables can alleviate poverty, create jobs, improve welfare and strengthen gender equality. Still, to fully realise this potential, the industry must tap a wider pool of talent – notably including that of women, who have been largely underrepresented thus far, depriving the energy transformation of critical capacities. Gender equality, along with a wider sharing of the benefits from the global energy transformation, is not only a question of fundamental fairness. It is also essential to shaping positive social and economic development outcomes.

This edition gives a full account of the discussions held during the fourth IRENA Legislators Forum held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in conjunction with the Agency’s ninth annual Assembly. Parliamentarians from over 30 countries gathered to discuss challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy sector, with a special focus on bridging the energy access gap in Africa.

The UN High-Level Political Forum in July 2018 reviewed progress towards SDG7, providing a compelling platform for countries to share experiences and discuss measures to ratchet up the positive momentum of the ongoing energy transformation. IRENA, as one of the Custodian Agencies for SDG7 indicators, is supporting the review process by providing up-to-date renewable energy capacity and power generation data. IRENA’s analytical work has also looked at actions to accelerate deployment and enhance linkages to other SDGs.

In addition to supporting climate stabilisation goals, a significant uptake of renewables can fuel economic growth, create new employment opportunities, and improvements in human welfare such as health and education gains. Social benefits can be further maximised by ensuring a just, timely and economically efficient transition, and enhancing its overall acceptance in local communities and across societies.

The third edition of the IRENA Legislators Forum gathered 56 parliamentarians from 30 countries in Abu Dhabi for a two-day meeting. On Thursday 11 January, participants were welcomed at the Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates by the FNC Speaker, H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, and Mr. Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Access to modern energy services is central to achieving development goals, including those related to poverty eradication, ending hunger, improving health, education and gender equality. To achieve universal electricity access by 2030, the current pace of expansion of off-grid renewable energy must almost double.

This special edition gives a full account of the discussions held during the second Legislators Forum held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in conjunction with the Agency’s seventh annual Assembly. Parliamentarians interested in renewable energy gathered from 15 countries and the European Union, to discuss best practices, opportunities and challenges in promoting renewables, and ways to establish an enabling legal framework.