International Clean Energy Day and 16 years of IRENA

Advancing sustainable development and accelerating climate action 

Clean energy is a fundamental part of mitigating climate change and meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, as well as Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – guaranteeing universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030.  

In December 2023, 198 countries agreed on a global goal to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 at COP28. Last year, renewable energy capacity grew by over 530 GW globally. However, annual additions would need to reach an average of 1044GW per year to 2030 to reach this target. In addition to this, 685 million people – over 80% of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa - still lack a reliable energy source, undermining health, education and economic development.  

January 26 marked the second International Clean Energy Day, aligning with 16 years since the establishment of IRENA, symbolising the leading role of the Agency in accelerating the global transition to renewable energy-based systems.  

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the inevitability of the end of the fossil fuel era in his message for Clean Energy Day, stating, “This year offers an unparalleled opportunity for countries to align their climate ambitions with their national energy and development strategies.  All countries have committed to produce new national climate action plans aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.  They must deliver with plans that cover all greenhouse gases and sectors, map a just fossil fuel phase-out and contribute to the global goal to triple renewables capacity by 2030,” he continued, “We also need action to get finance flowing to the renewables revolution in emerging markets and developing economies.  That includes increasing the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, tackling the high cost of capital and taking effective action on debt.” 

In recognition of the Clean Energy Day, the UN and UN-Energy family hosted a special event, focusing on bridging the energy gap.  

UN Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Navid Hanif opened the celebrations, and highlighted the importance of universal access, accelerating a just energy transition aligned with a 1.5°C climate goal through ambitious national climate plans and reinforcing global partnerships to ensure no one is left behind. 

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera addressed attendees in a video, presenting off-grid renewable energy solutions as key to addressing the existing energy access gap, and empowering rural areas.  

The event underscored that accelerating renewable energy and achieving universal access requires more financing, resources, and firm political will to ensure an equitable transition for all. 

Convening leaders to accelerate the energy transition 

Climate Action convenes the private sector, governments, international financial institutions, non-governmental organisations and inter-governmental organisations through a series of events across the year in the lead up to COP. Achieving growth in renewable energy adoption and scaling innovative solutions will be central themes throughout the panels, keynotes, and discussions. 

On April 29th, the Sustainable Investment Forum Europe will take place in Paris, catalysing Europe’s sustainable financial ecosystem for an inclusive, equitable economic transition. Joël Prohin, Head of Investment Management at Caisse des Dépôts; Jean-Baptiste Tricot , Chief Investment Officer at AXA group and Member of the Steering Committee of the Net Zero Aset Owner Alliance; and Adrien Perret, Executive Director of Fonds de Réserve pour les Retraites, will feature on the Forum’s opening panel, From Policy to Investment: Forging Alliances for a Carbon-Neutral Future.  

They will dive into the critical collaborations needed to align sustainable investments with climate goals, highlighting how innovative finance, cutting-edge technology, and policy reforms can bridge the gap between ambition and action. 

The Climate Innovation Forum, taking place on the 25th June at London’s historic Guildhall, is a key event on the roadmap to COP30, and a flagship forum of London Climate Action Week. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera will join the opening panel, Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity by 2030, focusing on collective action to accelerate the pace of renewable energy deployment, opportunities in the cleantech revolution, and delivering the rapid expansion of both grid infrastructure and energy storage capacity.  

The Climate Action Coalition, launched in 2024, connects conversations across these events, with an acute focus on the practical steps required to unblock delivery barriers over the next five years, get investment flowing where it’s needed, and sharing solutions that can be replicated at speed and scale. Its Clean Power Taskforce will target structural, regulatory, and financial challenges that hinder progress toward the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. Additionally, it will focus on mobilising supply chains, advancing technological innovation, unlocking finance, closing the skills gap, streamlining permitting, and building grid capacity. 

To get involved in this roadmap to COP30, visit Events - Climate Action, or email coalition@climateaction.org to find out more about the Coalition’s activities.