Japan, holding the G20 presidency in 2019, asked the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for a report on the implications of the global energy transformation for climate and sustainability in a broad sense.

A joint working paper from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency (C2E2) illuminates crucial synergies that can help to ensure a sustainable global energy future.

This brief takes stock of the opportunity at hand – detailing the dynamism and the innovations in the off-grid renewable energy sector. Building on IRENA’s growing body of work on the topic, it highlights the latest trends and advances, including innovations in delivery and financing models.   

The transition to renewable-based, energy-efficient heating and cooling could follow several possible pathways. This report outlines the infrastructure and policies needed.

This working paper considers how renewables and energy efficiency can work together to contribute to global energy decarbonisation by 2050. It also looks and how this synergy affects energy system and technology cost, and the effect it has on air pollution and avoidance of adverse health effects caused by these pollutants.

This report is prepared by the COP28 Presidency, IRENA and GRA.

Report launched during Pre-COP in Abu Dhabi informs countries as they prepare for COP28 and supports key pillar of COP28 Presidency’s Action Agenda to fast-track just energy transition.

World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022 outlines priority actions till 2030 to stay on a 1.5°C pathway to sustainability, climate resilience and energy security.

Global leaders, through their commitments to energy targets, must set a new pace to reach the 1.5ºC goal.

This report analyses the regional energy landscape, potential and costs, policy and investment needs, and expected socio-economic impact from a shift to renewables.

This set of briefs, prepared by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), highlights challenges and opportunities as the world seeks climate-safe energy solutions.

The shipping industry plays a critical role in the global economy, carrying approximately 90% of the total tonnage of world’s traded goods. Shipping propulsion has changed radically since the mid-19th century, from the renewable energy of sail power, to the coal power of steamships, to the predominance of heavy fuel oil and marine diesel oil. But renewable energy technologies could transform the global shipping fleet again, at all levels and scales.

To ensure a sustainable energy future, use of renewable energy sources and technologies needs to be scaled up not only for electricity generation but also in the end-use sectors of buildings, transport and industry.

Assets like power plants can become “stranded” by unanticipated or premature write-downs, devaluation or conversion to liabilities. This will happen to some degree in the transition to a low-carbon economy. However delaying action to address climate change would result in significantly more severe asset stranding, according to this analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This raises concerns for investors and companies, as well as policy makers and regulators. 

Renewable Energy Policies for Cities: Power Sector is one of several briefs intended to help policy makers accelerate efforts to create sustainable cities powered by renewable energy. The series includes briefs focused on the transport and buildings sectors, and this one, on power.

While the shift to cleaner energy systems is evident across the Group of 20 (G20), it has specific features in each country. In every case, renewable energy plays a significant role.

This report provides a comprehensive pathway for the development of a sustainable and cleaner regional energy system.

This study examines the policy, regulatory, financial and capacity-related challenges that the country has to address to meet targets for renewables to make up 42% of the country’s electricity mix by 2035.

This outlook highlights climate-safe investment options until 2050, policies for transition and specific regional challenges. It also explores options to eventually cut emissions to zero.