A group of global leaders from across renewable energy have launched a new organisation to ensure renewables are wholly sustainable for people and the planet and lead a just transition away from fossil fuels.
The partners have come together to create the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy.
The initiative represents the 17 founding members’ joint response to the urgent need to decarbonise the global energy system while ensuring its sustainability from an environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspective.
The Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy brings together utility companies from diverse geographies, major manufacturers in the wind power and solar PV supply chains as well as sector associations and innovation partners.
The 17 founding members include Adani Green Energy, EDP, Enel Green Power, Global Solar Council (GSC), Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Goldwind, Iberdrola, JA Solar, Nordex, ReNew Power, Risen Energy and Trina Solar.
The 17 members of the alliance will start their collaboration by focusing on four key areas where they can achieve quick wins for the sustainability of the renewable energy industry.
The focus areas are net-zero emissions and CO2 footprints, circular economy and design, human rights and water footprints.
“We have to act now – and act together – in making a serious commitment towards carbon-free, sustainable energy,” said Salvatore Bernabei, representative of the founding members of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy, and CEO of Enel Green Power.
“We will pursue our mission to make a collective impact in embedding sustainability across the entire value chain by leveraging on core, shared values: responsibility, respect for human rights, protection of the environment and biodiversity, but also open collaboration and transparency.”
The Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy aims to redefine the meaning of “sustainable energy” and embrace all those working in and impacted by renewables, joining efforts with civil society, end-users, policymakers, academic institutions, materials suppliers, original equipment manufacturers and likeminded utilities to work with governments and investors.
The initiative is fully aligned with the 2030 agenda set out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While wind and solar have distinct characteristics as renewable technologies, they are highly complementary and share both similar growth trajectories and similar challenges to their sustainable deployment.
Closer alignment between wind and solar is critical for accelerating the energy transition.
“The wind industry has a crucial role to play in cleaning up the dirty parts of the global economy such as steel, cement and heavy transport but also to decarbonise our own supply chain at the same time,” said Ben Backwell, GWEC CEO.
“Work on the wind industry’s own sustainability is already under way as we move from pilot projects to a full-scale industry approach, addressing challenges such as circular economy solutions to blade recycling and protecting labor practices and human rights in a rapidly expanding workforce.”
GSC CEO Gianni Chianetta said: “Beyond its climate impact, solar power can make a significant contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals thanks to the ‘ripple effect’ that fans out into the economic, social and environmental domains, benefiting areas such as health, education, gender equality and poverty alleviation.
“What is key is a joined-up effort. It’s no longer enough for any one technology, industry or organisation to lead the way: we need to lead together, with collaboration and joint action.”
The launch event – The Sustainability Mission of the Energy Transition: Presenting the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy – will feature speakers from founding members, who will provide perspectives about how their own organisations are already actively working towards the Alliance’s vision for sustainable energy.