Inside the UN's International Clean Energy Day 2025
On 26 January 2025 the world gears up to celebrate the third annual International Clean Energy Day.
This event is vital for promoting awareness and stimulating worldwide action towards a fair and inclusive clean energy transition.
Set in motion by the UN General Assembly in 2023, it underscores the pivotal role clean energy plays in battling climate change and realising sustainable development goals.
The history of International Clean Energy Day
International Clean Energy Day emerged from a resolution by the UN General Assembly in 2023, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
This particular day, 26 January, honours the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009.
IRENA is an intergovernmental organisation that aids countries in their transition to renewable energy and fosters global cooperation.
The UN's decision to initiate this day highlighted a "need for a coherent, integrated approach to energy issues and the promotion of synergies across the global energy agenda, with a focus on eradicating poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals".
Every US$1 invested in renewables creates 3x more jobs than in the fossil fuel industry
Why does this day matter?
International Clean Energy Day is instrumental in driving the global community away from fossil fuels towards sustainable energy sources.
This change is crucial for several reasons:
- Climate action: Clean energy is central to combatting climate change. Fossil fuels are the primary contributors to the climate crisis. Moving to renewable energy sources is key to limiting the global temperature increase
- Universal access: The day highlights that around 675 million people remain without electricity, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Clean energy can revolutionize lives by providing dependable electricity for education, healthcare and economic growth
- Sustainable development: Transitioning to clean energy is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which aims for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.
Why do we need International Clean Energy Day?
The primary objectives of International Clean Energy Day are to educate, mobilise, innovate and collaborate:
- Raising awareness: The day aims to inform the public about the advantages of clean energy and its role in reducing climate impact
- Mobilising action: It calls on governments, industries and organisations globally to hasten their shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions
- Promoting innovation: The observance encourages the development and acceptance of innovative clean energy technologies and solutions
- Fostering collaboration: This day serves as a platform for international cooperation and knowledge exchange in clean energy.
It’s time to stop burning our planet, and start investing in the abundant renewable energy all around us
International Clean Energy Day 2025 marks a crucial moment for governments, businesses and individuals to intensify their efforts towards a sustainable, clean energy future.
While challenges remain, with millions still lacking basic electrical services and global aims for SDG7 off-track for 2030, the escalating commitment to clean energy offers hope for a cleaner, more sustainable world.
It reminds us all that shifting to clean energy isn’t just an environmental necessity but also a pathway to economic growth, improved public health and better quality of life worldwide.
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