Working together to drive the global energy transition

Energy use is responsible for about one-third of greenhouse gases emitted by food systems. However, large disparities remain in the access to and use of sustainable, clean energy for agricultural activities across the world.

In the lead up to the UN Food Systems Summit and the High-Level Dialogue on Energy, accelerated action is needed to achieve sustainability and climate resilience for both food and energy systems.

In a joint statement issued today by the International Geothermal Association and over 45 leading renewable energy players under the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Coalition for Action, renewable energy and agriculture sectors were urged to break down silos and collaborate.

By jointly advancing the integration of renewables in the agriculture sector, stakeholders can make an essential contribution towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals and global climate objectives.

Geothermal energy can offer multiple solutions for agriculture and food sectors: heating for greenhouses and soil fertilization, food drying and sustainable aquaculture, spirulina and algae cultivation.

In its joint statement, the Coalition for Action puts forward the following five recommendations for governments, the renewable energy sector, and the agriculture sector to jointly consider:

  1. Cross-sectoral strategies to co-ordinate the planning and implementation of energy transition and food systems transformation.
  2. Multifaceted financing tools to improve access to capital for farmers, enterprises and end-users.
  3. Innovative, cross-sectoral business models that enable energy access and improved agricultural yields while protecting biodiversity, ecosystems and communities.
  4. Capacity-building initiatives to provide local actors with relevant skills, knowledge and resources to integrate renewable energy solutions in agriculture projects.
  5. Improved data on renewables applications in agriculture to de-risk projects, improve acceptability and effectively guide sustainable investments.

Read more about Coalition for Action: www.coalition.irena.org.