IUCN and IRENA Unite to Advance Renewable Energy That Protects Nature and Empowers Communities
A Global Partnership for a Greener, More Inclusive Energy Future
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have entered a new strategic partnership to ensure that the global shift toward renewable energy actively supports both climate goals and biodiversity conservation. Signed by Mr. Stewart Maginnis, IUCN Deputy Director General, and Ms. Gauri Singh, IRENA Deputy Director-General, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a joint framework for advancing renewable energy solutions that benefit both people and the planet.Aligning Climate Action with Nature Conservation
The agreement aims to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels while ensuring that renewable energy projects are designed and implemented responsibly. Recognizing that the global energy transition must go hand in hand with ecosystem protection, IUCN and IRENA will work together to integrate biodiversity safeguards and social equity into renewable energy planning and deployment.“This collaboration sends a strong message: the renewable energy transition must go hand in hand with protecting biodiversity and supporting communities,” said Mr. Maginnis. “Together with IRENA, we will ensure that solutions for the climate crisis also build a healthier planet.”
Key Areas of Cooperation
Under the new MoU, IUCN and IRENA will collaborate on several strategic initiatives designed to align renewable energy development with sustainable development goals (SDGs):- Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewables to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address global environmental challenges.
- Developing projects that minimize negative impacts of renewable energy on biodiversity and local communities.
- Creating assessment tools to measure the biodiversity impacts and positive contributions of renewable energy systems.
- Promoting policy guidance and best practices that highlight the co-benefits between conservation and renewable energy deployment.
- Expanding cooperation in capacity building, technical research, and the dissemination of knowledge and data-driven insights.
Through these initiatives, the partnership will encourage governments, investors, and developers to adopt nature-positive energy solutions that protect ecosystems while meeting the growing global demand for clean power.
Renewables and Biodiversity: A Shared Global Mission
Highlighting the urgency of the collaboration, Ms. Singh stated, “Achieving the 11.2 terawatts of renewables capacity by 2030 in line with the UAE Consensus must take into account the preservation of ecosystems and enhancement of biodiversity. With this partnership, we can ensure targeted measures that work in harmony with nature are put in place, so our pursuit of a renewables-based future truly benefits the planet and its people.”This initiative reflects a growing understanding within the global sustainability movement: the energy transition must not come at the expense of nature. Instead, it must drive innovation that supports resilient ecosystems and empowers communities worldwide.
A Framework for Sustainable Progress
The three-year MoU establishes a foundation for ongoing collaboration, with the potential for renewal and expansion of activities. It represents a shared commitment by IUCN and IRENA to embed environmental and social safeguards into renewable energy development while advancing global climate goals.By linking conservation science with energy innovation, the partnership serves as a model for how international cooperation can accelerate the transition to clean energy systems that respect and restore the natural world.
As nations race to meet net-zero targets, the IUCN–IRENA alliance demonstrates that a future powered by renewables can — and must — be a future that works for both nature and people.
