Utilities, solar and wind energy leaders form Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy

A total of 17 utilities, members of the solar and wind value chains, sector associations and partners united to found the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy last week, laying the groundwork for collective action on making renewable energy truly sustainable.

Launched by virtual event, the new collaboration aims to decarbonize the global energy system and to enshrine a new order built on an environmental, social and governance (ESG) bent. To achieve this, it will reach out to partners from across society, be they in industry, academia, policymaking or others. All must align themselves with the 2030 agenda of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

So far, subscribers to this ideal include: 3M, Adani Green Energy Ltd., EDP, Eletrobras, Enel Green Power, Global Solar Council, Global Wind Energy Council, Goldwind, Iberdrola, JA Solar, Nordex Group, NTPC Limited, Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, ReNew Power, Risen Energy and Trina Solar.

“We have to act now — and act together — in making a serious commitment towards carbon-free, sustainable energy,” Salvatore Bernabei, representative of the alliance’s founding members and CEO of Enel Green Power, said. “We will pursue our mission to make a collective impact in embedding sustainability across the entire value chain by leveraging on core, shared values: responsibility, respect for human rights, protection of the environment and biodiversity, but also open collaboration and transparency.”

For one thing, the organization seeks closer alignment between wind and solar to accelerate the energy transition. Both, after all, have faced similar challenges to deployment and possess similar growth capabilities. This was emphasized by statements from Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and Gianni Chianetta, CEO of the Global Solar Council. Both spoke of taking sustainability efforts not just into their own sphere, but to other elements of the supply chain and global economy, be they recycling blades or protecting human rights.

“What is key is a joined-up effort,” Chianetta said. “It’s no longer enough for any one technology, industry or organization to lead the way: we need to lead together, with collaboration and joint action.”

Initially, the alliance will focus on achieving net-zero emissions and CO2 footprints, a circular economy and design, human rights and water footprints. The partners see these as areas ripe for quick wins, with just two months to go until the UN’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, and scientific warnings that the world is not on track to contain global warming.