The World Needs 100% Renewable Energy
As Soon As PossibleBuilt from Bottom-Up. During the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit, climate leaders emphasised that the climate crisis results primarily from the world’s addiction to fossil fuels.
While the impacts of the climate crisis intensify all over the world, disproportionately affecting those that have contributed the least, it is now extremely urgent to fully and equitably transition away from a fossil fuel-based economy that is harmful to the people and nature, towards a 100% clean renewable-based energy system that benefits planetary health and our societies likewise.
A world fully supplied by renewable sources of energy, like wind, solar, and other sustainable renewable energy sources is not only environmentally and socially desirable: it is already technically and economically feasible. The potential for clean renewables is vast, far exceeding the current and projected global energy demand. Technologies are readily available, they are more affordable – without subsidies –, safer, and suitable for decentralised systems that empower local communities. Technologies such as nuclear energy and CCS are not needed, and neither is the large expansion of solid biomass use.
A 100% Renewable Energy World has the potential of offering more benefits, more justice and more participation to the many, as renewable energies are universally available and cannot and should not be monopolized. Renewables are accessible everywhere in abundance and they belong to everyone.
Accordingly, 100% renewable energy globally must be the new normal!
The Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform calls upon all actors – policy- and decision-makers, governments at all levels, cities and regions, business and industries, as well as citizens – to accelerate the transition towards 100% Renewable Energy in an efficient, just, democratic, inclusive, and equitable manner now:
- Moving to 100% RE systems can only happen in parallel to a just and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, coupled with strong energy efficiency and sufficiency measures.
- A 100% renewable energy system must be built from bottom-up, in a democratic, inclusive and participatory way, serving the many on our planet.
- While we emphasise that a 100% renewable energy economy is beneficial for all countries, as demanded by the UN’s Secretary General, wealthier nations are obliged to achieve net-zero emissions faster and earlier than other countries, by accelerating the fast expansion of renewables. Further, they must also provide significantly enhanced financial support to developing countries, broadening and enabling renewable energy investment and ownership.
- While we welcome the call by several organisations, governments and industry to triple renewable electricity capacity by 2030 compared to 2022 levels, the rate of deployment required to achieve this goal will need to be maintained, ideally stepped up, well beyond 2030 to keep us on track towards 100% Renewable Energy as soon as possible. The transition needs to happen across all sectors of energy generation and use, not just electricity.
- We support nations in developing participatory approaches with civil society and others to embark on identifying and agreeing fair and equitable national renewable energy targets in line with at least an annual 1.5 TW growth of sustainable renewable energy capacity. We encourage international organisations like the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and governments to develop and support 100% renewable energy pathways at national and subnational levels, to serve as a guide for policy making.
- International commitments are crucial, but their implementation on national levels need to be independently, transparently and scientifically monitored. Emerging renewable energy targets must be translated at national, regional and local level through inclusive and transparent participation of citizens and local actors. When it comes to renewable energy, local and decentralised solutions are fundamental parts of the climate and energy solution. Local and regional (subnational) governments have a key role in this and need to be empowered to act.
- Accordingly, we encourage citizens and communities around the world to capitalise on the enormous benefits of their renewable energy future and take the energy supply into their own hands. Governments shall support such endeavours.
- Not only renewable energy is key to address the climate crisis, but it is also instrumental in providing universal access to clean electricity, reducing harmful air pollutants, creating jobs, and regaining control over our energy systems, while making them more resilient and democratic.
This declaration is supported by:
- Climate Action Network
- ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
- International Solar Energy Society ISES
- World Wind Energy Association WWEA
- ISEP – Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies
- 350.org
- Energy Watch Group
- European Renewable Energies Federation EREF
- EKOenergy ecolabel
- International Windship Association
- Fridays for Future
- Fridays for future Map
- Parents for Future
- Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST)
- Jeunes Volontaires pour l’Environnement
- Ukrainian Wind Energy Association
- FECOFUN
- AbibiNsroma Foundation
- The Climate Center
- CAN Zambia
- Muombo climate change response organisation
- Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development
- CAN-Japan
- Runder Tisch Erneuerbare Energien / Round Table Renewable Energies
- CORE Renewable Energy Inc.
- GeneralWind GmbH
- Renewables First
- Windplus Private Limited
The declaration can be signed here
