Every dollar of investment in renewables creates three times more jobs than in the fossil fuel industry.
The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly (resolution A/77/327) as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.
Adopting clean energy is integral to the fight against climate change. A large chunk of the greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth and trap the Sun’s heat are generated through energy production, by burning fossil fuels (oil, coal, and gas) to generate electricity and heat.
The science is clear: to limit climate change, we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable.
Renewable energy sources – which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth – are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.
Let us unite in advancing awareness, innovation, and collaborative efforts to address climate change and ensure a cleaner, greener planet for generations to come.
On January 26, the United Nations marked its very first International Day of Clean Energy, representing a significant milestone in our collective commitment to a sustainable future. Adopted by the UN General Assembly, this day signifies a global celebration of clean energy and its pivotal role in achieving a just and inclusive energy transition. With a dedicated focus on advocating for clean and renewable energy sources, this occasion serves as a unifying platform for governments, businesses, and individuals across the globe to expedite the shift towards more sustainable and efficient energy systems.
IRENA Turns 15 on the First International Day of Clean Energy
Agency celebrates its founding day, proclaimed by the UN in acknowledgement of the critical role that renewables play in driving climate action and sustainable development
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 January 2024 – Today marks the 15th anniversary of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA’s birthday coincides with the inaugural International Day of Clean Energy, declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last year.
By adopting a resolution proclaiming the founding date of IRENA on 26 January as the International Day of Clean Energy, UNGA recognised the Agency’s leading role in accelerating the global, renewables-based energy transition.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said: “I congratulate IRENA and its Membership for their vital role in bringing renewable energy to the forefront of the global energy discourse. With 169 Members, IRENA stands as the global engine driving a global energy transition grounded in renewables that delivers on climate and development priorities. My thanks go to the IRENA staff for their tireless contribution over the last 15 years and to the UAE for hosting the Agency in Abu Dhabi.”
La Camera added: “The establishment of an international day, largely thanks to the advocacy of the UAE and Panama as co-facilitators of the UN resolution, is a testament to the growing support for renewables seen worldwide. A fair, just, equitable, and urgent transition towards clean energy is essential to avoid the worst of climate effects and spur sustainable development.”
Founded in 2009, IRENA supports nations in their adoption and deployment of renewable energy. Across its 15-year journey, IRENA has been instrumental in spearheading efforts to advance renewable energy policies, technologies, and knowledge-sharing at the national, regional and global levels.
