The International Day of Clean Energy, observed annually on 26 January, was been proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution A/77/327 as a global call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy—for the benefit of people and the planet.
Clean energy is central to addressing two interconnected challenges: ending inequality and protecting the Earth. While renewable energy plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change, it is also essential for improving access to education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. Yet progress remains uneven. Today, 666 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, with more than 85 per cent living in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many of these communities are Indigenous Peoples, who continue to face energy poverty despite residing in regions rich in renewable energy resources.
For Indigenous Peoples, clean energy is fundamentally about rights, self-determination, and justice. Indigenous communities have long stewarded lands, waters, and ecosystems that are vital to global climate stability. Their knowledge systems and governance models offer proven pathways for sustainable, community-centered energy solutions. However, too many energy projects continue to be developed without Indigenous consent, participation, or leadership, risking the replication of historical injustices.
A truly just energy transition must therefore go beyond expanding access. It must ensure that renewable energy initiatives:
- Respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and Free, Prior and Informed Consent
- Are led and governed by Indigenous communities
- Deliver affordable, reliable, and culturally appropriate energy solutions
Despite notable gains in renewable energy deployment, the world is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7)—universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030.
On this International Day of Clean Energy, the Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP) reaffirms its commitment to advancing Indigenous-led renewable energy as a cornerstone of a fair, inclusive, and effective energy transition. There can be no just energy transition without Indigenous leadership.
0 Comments