REN21’s Renewable Energy Report Unveils Blueprint for Sustainable Energy Transition

By Ojugbele Omotunde

The Renewable Energy and Sustainability Report (RESR) by REN21 has laid out a comprehensive “success recipe” for achieving a sustainable energy transition.

Drawing insights from various stakeholders, including human rights organizations, business leaders, and environmentalists, the report focuses on optimizing the positive impacts of renewable energy while addressing potential drawbacks.

The research underscores key sustainability concepts such as resource preservation, circularity in supply chains, strategic infrastructure siting, and the crucial involvement of stakeholders, especially in areas directly affected by the transition.

REN21’s RESR offers examples of best practices, laws, industry standards, and certifications to guide the implementation of sustainable renewable energy.

This groundbreaking report tracks innovation, technological breakthroughs, legislation, and standards in the renewable energy sector through knowledge aggregation and multi-stakeholder interactions.

Despite acknowledging potential negative impacts on various fronts like land, water, biodiversity, and human rights, the RESR concludes that the overall benefits of renewables outweigh these concerns. Mitigation strategies are highlighted, emphasizing the adoption of existing best practices.

The Renewable Energy Security (RESR) serves as a guide for decision-makers, emphasizing the responsibility of governments in enacting and enforcing policies and regulations to ensure the sustainability and equity of renewable energy deployment.

Rana Adib, Executive Director of REN21, asserts that renewable energy sources are the most sustainable solution for combating climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Caroline Avan from the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre underscores the importance of involving all stakeholders, particularly those affected by new infrastructure deployment, in planning processes to ensure equitable benefits from the energy transition.

Stephan Singer, Senior Global Specialist at Climate Action Network International, highlights the comprehensive benefits of renewable energy across the environment, climate, social systems, resource consumption, and the economy.

Koaile Monaheng, an expert on Renewable Energy at Climate Action Network International, emphasizes the need for improved financing conditions in emerging and developing economies to ensure the success of renewable energy expansion and a just energy transition.

The REN21 RESR serves as a vital resource to guide decision-makers in achieving the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 while minimizing negative impacts.