International Agency for Renewable Energies

The International Agency for Renewable Energies (IRENA) is a proposed international agency that would become "the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale."

On December 11, 2008, a side event to the COP14 meeting -- the 14th "Conference of the Parties" of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- promoted IRENA. Titled "Initiative for an IRENA," the event was presented by the governments of Germany, Denmark and Spain, with representatives from Poland, India and Ethiopia. It stressed "the urgent need for an international governmental organisation promoting renewable energy worldwide."

The IRENA founding conference is planned for January 26, 2009 in Bonn, Germany. "So far, about 80 countries have confirmed their participation" in the IRENA founding conference, according to the initiative's website, the week before the event.

Contact information
Website: www.irena.org

Related SourceWatch articles

 * COP14/Side Events
 * International Energy Agency