The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Renewable Grid Initiative (RGI) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in the advancement of sustainable renewable energy and electricity grids. This partnership is essential to keep up with the rapid growth expected in the renewable energy sector as outlined by the goals of the Paris Agreement.
A project stream is in progress to identify and implement initiatives for a fair and sustainable shift to clean energy. One notable project under development is the ‘Global Initiative for Nature, Renewables & Grids,’ which aims to help governments, regulators, developers, and investors incorporate nature-positive methods into renewable energy generation and transmission. Its success will lead to a monitoring and reporting system to demonstrate global progress and solutions.
Simultaneously addressing climate, energy, and biodiversity security is feasible. Thoughtfully planned energy infrastructure can create opportunities for nature protection and restoration. RGI is excited to collaborate with IUCN to promote this message, identify effective methods and practices, and establish a global coalition for its implementation. While acknowledging the need for an accelerated deployment of renewable energy and electricity grids, IUCN also recognizes the importance of ensuring that all climate crisis solutions are sustainable and address the ongoing biodiversity crisis.
IUCN and RGI envision this collaboration as the beginning of a partnership that will overcome challenges and find solutions to accelerate the development of sustainable renewable energy generation and electricity grids, facilitating a timely and equitable transition to a low-carbon world.
RGI, comprised of a unique collaboration of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and transmission system operators from Europe, is actively engaged in promoting fair, transparent, and sustainable grid development to facilitate the full decarbonization of renewables in alignment with the Paris Agreement.