The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) stated that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, describing the agreement as a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between the two organizations in promoting a renewable energy transition that is both sustainable and nature-positive.
IUCN noted that the MoU, signed by its Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis and IRENA Deputy Director-General Gauri Singh, establishes a framework for joint efforts to ensure that the deployment of renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions while also protecting biodiversity, enhancing community resilience, and contributing to global sustainable development goals.
Under the terms of the agreement, IUCN said it and IRENA would collaborate to support the rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, develop projects that minimize negative impacts on biodiversity and local communities, create tools to assess environmental impacts and contributions toward positive nature outcomes, promote co-benefits between renewable energy deployment and conservation through policy analysis and best practices, and explore further cooperation in areas such as capacity building, technical research, and knowledge dissemination.
Stewart Maginnis was reported as saying that the collaboration sends a strong message that the renewable energy transition must go hand in hand with protecting biodiversity and supporting communities, and that, together with IRENA, they would work to ensure climate solutions also contribute to a healthier planet.
IRENA Deputy Director-General Gauri Singh reportedly emphasized that achieving the 11.2 terawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, in line with the UAE Consensus, must consider ecosystem preservation and biodiversity enhancement, and that the partnership would help ensure measures aligned with nature are implemented to benefit both the planet and its people.
IUCN added that the MoU would remain in force for an initial period of three years, with possibilities for renewal and expanded activities, reflecting the shared commitment of both organizations to a future where renewable energy development supports climate action while safeguarding the world’s natural heritage.
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