REN21

REN21 logo

REN21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century) is a global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key actors. REN21's goal is to facilitate knowledge exchange, policy development and joint action towards a rapid global transition to renewable energy. REN21 brings together governments, non-governmental organisations, research and academic institutions, international organisations and industry to learn from one another and build on successes that advance renewable energy. To assist policy decision-making, REN21 provides high-quality information, catalyses discussion and debate, and supports the development of thematic networks. REN21 facilitates the collection of comprehensive and timely information on renewable energy. This information reflects diverse viewpoints from both private and public sector actors, serving to dispel myths about renewable energy and to catalyse policy change. It does this through six product lines: Renewables Global Status Report (GSR); Regional Reports; Global Futures Reports (GFR); REN21 Academy; International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC).

The REN21 Secretariat is based at UN Environment in Paris, France, and is a registered non-profit association under German law (e.V.). The organisation has more than 70 members.

History

REN21 was launched in June 2004 as an outcome of the International Conference for Renewable Energies in Bonn, Germany. Paul Hugo Suding, was the first Executive Secretary upon REN21's formation in 2006. He was succeeded by Virginia Sonntag O'Brien (2008-2011). Christine Lins was Executive Secretary 2011- April 2018. The current Executive Secretary is Rana Adib.

Publications

GSR

The Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) is the most frequently referenced report on the renewable energy market, industry and policy trends. This annual report details the current status of the deployment of renewable technologies globally. The GSR has been produced since 2005 and covers the energy sector (power, heating and cooling and transport), reporting on policy development, energy industry, investment and market. The report is based on data and information contributed by the REN21 member network of more than 900 experts and researchers from around the world. The GSR is undergoes an open peer-review process, contributing to the full transparency of all data used in the report. The full report is available on a microsite along with its colourful infographics. References are easily accessible – users can place their mouse over a reference and see all the sources used and access them directly via individual hyperlinks. The infographics are incorporated throughout the text and the simple navigation structure allows the reader to jump easily from chapter to chapter. The new Google translate function allows the user to translate the full content into the reader's native language.

The GSR report is complemented by a Highlights Report that presents the overarching trends and developments. It outlines what is happening to drive the energy transition and details why it is not happening fast enough or as fast as possible. This document draws extensively on the meticulously documented data found in the GSR. It is available in multiple languages.

REN21’s Renewables 2018 Global Status Report presents developments and trends over the course of 2017. The report illustrates that while transformation in the power sector with renewables is picking up speed, urgent action is required in heating, cooling and transport.

Regional Reports

The Regional Status Report series focuses on the progress of renewable energy deployment in specific regions. The report process encourages and supports regional data collection processes as well as informed decision making. Regional status reports have been produced since 2009 and include: China (2009); India (2010); Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA, 2009); Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, 2014); Southern African Development Community (SADC, 2015, 2018); United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE, 2015, 2017) and East African Community (EAC, 2016).

Thematic Reports

In its Thematic Report series, REN21 looks at a certain topic in-depth. Past reports include a publication on mini-grid policies, a ten-year overview of renewable energy developments, tendering and community power in Latin America and the Caribbean, an overview of renewable energy policies in a time of transition (produced with the IEA and IRENA) as well as a publication on decarbonising transport in the G20.

Global Futures Report (GFR)

The Global Futures Report (GFR) series presents expert views and perspectives on the feasibility and challenges of achieving a world fed by renewable energy. The 2017 report documents global views about the feasibility of achieving a 100% renewable energy future by mid-century. The GFR does not include any forecasts; rather it aims to spur debate about opportunities and challenges of a 100% renewable future.

Renewables in Cities Global Status Report

REN21 is currently developing a Renewables in Cities Global Status Report series which will map out the current developments and trends of renewable energies in cities. By offering fact-based evidence the cities report will be a powerful tool for various types of stakeholders by informing regulatory frameworks, supporting city-level commitments and by facilitating better multi-level integration to collectively shape the debate on cities in the energy transition. The first Renewables in Cities Global Status Report will be released mid-2019.

REN21 Academy

In order to bring together its contributor community, REN21 holds its Renewables Academy on a biennial basis. These events offer a stimulating environment for active contribution and new ideas on issues central to the renewable energy transformation.

REN21's first Renewables Academy was held 10–12 November 2014, in Bonn, Germany. The event counted 150 participants from 40 countries. Discussions focused on identifying key policy drivers that are needed to advance a global energy transition and took form in four plenary sessions and six parallel sessions.

The second edition, the REN21 Academy, took place 19-21 November 2018, in Berlin, Germany. Over 160 members from the REN21 Community, representing 80 different countries met to discuss how to accelerate the energy transformation. In 6 plenary sessions, 7 parallel sessions and 3 workshops participants collectively addressed complementary themes such as heat, transport, energy systems 2.0.

International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC)

Initiated at the renewables 2004 conference in Bonn, IRECs a high-level political conference series exclusively dedicated to renewable energy sector. The conference is held on a biennial basis, hosted by a national government and convened by REN21.

These multi-stakeholder events act as a common platform for government, private sector and civil society leaders to jointly address the goal of advancing renewable energy and have provided the impulse for several momentous initiatives over the past decade.

IRECs have been held in the following countries: Beijing, China (BIREC, 2005); Washington, the U.S (WIREC, 2008); Delhi, India (DIREC, 2010); Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (ADIREC, 2013); South Africa (SAIREC, 2015); Mexico City, Mexico (MEXIREC, 2017). The next IREC will be hosted by the Republic of Korea, to be held 23–26 October 2019, in Seoul.

Collaborations with other institutions

REN21 works in cooperation with other organizations. A sister report to REN21's GSR is the Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment Report (GTR) produced by the Frankfurt School – UNEP Collaborating Center for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance. REN21 is also a partner of the Global Tracking Framework (GTF), which is convened by the UN Secretary General's Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Initiative. REN21 also collaborates closely with other intergovernmental organisations such as the IEA, the World Bank and IRENA.

Members

The diverse and interactive member network of REN21 is vital to the success of its work. By having contributing members from many different sectors, makes the work of REN21 unique and transparent. The network includes more than 70 members from industry associations, international organisations, national governments, NGOs and science and academia. Its work is underpinned by a robust network of energy experts numbering over 2,000. REN21 is chaired by Arthouros Zervos; its Executive Secretary is Rana Adib.

External links

REN21
- Renewables: Global Status Report
- Renewables Global Futures Report