In a landmark move to integrate environmental sustainability with the global energy transition, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement was formally signed by IUCN Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis and IRENA Deputy Director-General Gauri Singh, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration between the two organizations. The partnership aims to promote renewable energy solutions that not only cut greenhouse gas emissions but also protect biodiversity, empower communities, and advance progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This collaboration reinforces the message that climate action and nature conservation must go hand in hand,” said Gauri Singh. “We must build a future where renewable energy development contributes positively to ecosystems and the people who depend on them.”
Under the new framework, IUCN and IRENA will work together to ensure that renewable energy projects are developed in ways that are ecologically responsible, socially inclusive, and aligned with long-term sustainability targets.
The MoU marks a significant step toward a more integrated approach to global climate and conservation efforts, underscoring the shared responsibility of governments, industry, and civil society to deliver a just and nature-positive energy transition.
