Europeans form renewable energy agency

Europeans form renewable energy agency

Article Type: News From: International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Volume 1, Issue 2

A consortium of European governments has established the world’s first International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The agency will serve as a global cheerleader for clean energy. It plans to offer technical, financial, and policy advice for governments worldwide, according to a joint announcement from Germany, Spain and Denmark – the project’s leaders. Renewable energy is on the rise worldwide as governments attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create domestic energy sources. Despite a variety of international organizations that are helping with the clean energy transition, IRENA’s leaders said no single agency addresses the local, national and international needs of both developed and developing nations.

The international organizations that currently focus on renewable energy include the IEA, World Bank, Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Partnership, and several United Nations agencies.

Despite the large number of clean energy organizations and networks, most energy funding supports the fossil fuel industries, IRENA’s founders say. Development aid leaders often cite the higher initial cost of technologies such as wind or solar in their decision to fund cheaper energy sources. Fossil fuel energy such as coal-fired power plants, however, warms the climate and can damage local environments.