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

Active forest management has helped to boost bioenergy resources. Swedish experience offers valuable lessons for emerging markets.

Mexico has a large and diverse renewable energy resource base. Given the right mix of policies, the country could attract large-scale investments to diversify its energy supply, with the potential to increase the share of modern renewables in total final energy consumption to 21% by 2030, up from 4.4% in 2010.

This report discusses the benefits of renewables-based adaptation and illustrates the importance of renewable energy within an integrated mitigation-adaptation approach to climate action.

IRENA has analysed climate pledges under the Paris Agreement in relation to national energy plans and actual deployment trends. In many cases, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have not kept up with recent, rapid growth in renewables.

This joint study looks at the potential for decarbonisation in the energy sector in G20 countries and around the world. Chapter 3, “Global Energy Transition Prospects and the Role of Renewables”, highlights findings from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The study defines a trajectory to 2030 based on current government policies and plans and identifies the options for additional renewables deployment by energy-use sector and technology.

This report estimates the potential for green hydrogen production as a function of land availability, considering exclusion zones such as protected areas, forests, wetlands, urban centres, slope and water scarcity.

This report aims to provide a basis for understanding these challenges and the solutions available. It highlights the range of policy options available, complemented by country examples.

This interim report highlights the advantages and benefits of renewables for islands, explains the quickscan methodology and presents quickscan findings from multiple SIDS and other islands.

Renewable energy needs to be scaled up at least six times faster for the world to start meeting key decarbonisation and climate mitigation goals. Yet the envisaged energy transformation cannot happen by itself. This report identifies focus areas where policy and decision makers need to act.

Updates to IRENA’s 2017 analysis of the renewable energy components of NDCs

This working paper reviews approaches to sustainable intensification of pastureland that have had a neutral or positive effect on biodiversity of the affected areas and provides examples through case studies. 

The report provides insights on various emerging offshore renewable energy technologies and their underlying potential. It also outlines a possible Action Plan for the G20 countries to drive offshore technologies closer to the commercialisation phase.

This report guides policy makers to stay on the the 1.5°C path to 2050, explores the socio-economic impacts of the transition and suggests ways to speed progress towards universal access to clean energy.

This Renewables Readiness Assessment from IRENA highlights the challenges and provides 11 recommendations to harness the potential of renewable energy sources in Belarus.

This joined IRENA-FAO report analyses the role of renewables in agri-food systems and opportunity they offer to advance energy and food security and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.

Increased use of renewable energy, combined with intensified electrification, could prove decisive for the world to meet key climate goals by 2050.

This report explores two broad future paths: Current Plans (meaning the course set by current and planned policies) and the path for a clean, climate-resilient Energy Transformation.

Energy emissions from industry and transport could be cut to zero by 2060 with pro-active policies and investments. Renewables will be crucial.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the geopolitical drivers and potential consequences of the development of clean hydrogen value chains.

The historic Paris climate agreement, adopted by countries around the world in December 2015, aims to the rise of global temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius. Renewable energy will play a key role in this effort, which encompasses developing as well as developed countries, by increasing the supply of cheap and accessible energy in a less carbon-intensive manner.

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 summarises progress, explores the potential to scale up biojet production in the near and longer term, and explain the actions needed to realise the aviation sector’s decarbonisation goals.

This report, a joint study between IRENA and the Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI), provides new perspectives on the interconnection potential in Northeast Asia and valuable insights for policy makers and key stakeholders.