Global Renewables Alliance and Greening the Islands Foundation unveil recommendations for islands’ energy transition at Global Renewables Summit.

New York, September 23, 2024: A new set of recommendations to accelerate the clean energy transition on small islands was launched today by the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) and Greening the Islands (GTI) Foundation. Streamlined permitting, transparent policy frameworks, and community engagement are among the key actions identified to unlock the vast untapped potential of advancing insular economies and societies towards energy security and resilience – while originating replicable models for 100% renewables.

The island-specific recommendations to implement fast and fair permitting for renewable energy and related projects were launched at a partner event to the Global Renewables Summit, co-organised by GTI Foundation and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The work, aimed at supercharging small islands’ energy transition, builds on ongoing cooperation between the GTI and GRA organisations, which started at COP28 in Dubai.

For small islands worldwide, which suffer existential threats from worsening climate change, developing ambitious renewable energy strategies stands as a vital priority, paramount for energy security and cost reduction as well as economy-wide decarbonisation and revitalisation through job creation, empowerment of local value chains, and circularity.

These vulnerable communities have a particular need for more effective permitting processes, as they generally handle protected areas, little available land, and limited public finances. Complex authorisation processes entail higher costs and risks of losing financing opportunities. At the same time, specific regulatory aspects still act as barriers to renewable power generation.

Streamlined, transparent processes and clear, predictable legal and regulatory frameworks are necessary to attract private investments by reducing the perceived risk associated with island projects, which instead, can have great potential. In this sense, the role of public-private cooperation is highly significant.

“We are glad to join forces once more with the GRA, a major representative of the renewables, storage, and green hydrogen industries. Such collaboration stands as a significant milestone in helping islands lower costs, attract more investments and accelerate transformations. All island governments and authorities are encouraged to implement these recommendations,” said Gianni Chianetta, Chair of GTI Foundation.

“We work with small islands to develop case studies and showcase the technical and economic feasibility, and sustainability, of 100% renewable energy systems, originating replicable and scalable models that can lead global change,” Chianetta added.

Bruce Douglas, CEO of GRA, emphasized the urgency of acting now to seize the opportunities presented by the clean energy transition: “As small islands face the dual pressures of climate vulnerability and energy insecurity, we must turn these challenges into opportunities. By streamlining permitting, fostering public-private partnerships, and investing in renewable infrastructure, island communities can become leaders in the global energy transition. This aligns with our global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, and small islands are key to showcasing how rapid action can drive transformation.”

“This action-oriented plan is not just about energy independence for islands—it’s about catalysing a clean, secure, and just energy future for all,” Douglas added.

Among other key actions, the recommendations include upgrading power grids and adding storage capacity, integrating renewable energy and agricultural, water cycle, transportation, waste management, and environmental planning, embedding social and economic value in tenders, auctions and PPAs, adopting leading renewable energy and hydrogen standards and certifications, and enhancing energy efficiency across all sectors.

The action plan results from an elaboration of the original recommendations from the Planning for Climate Coalition, a joint initiative by the members of the Global Renewables Alliance launched at COP27, made up of leaders representing governments, the private sector and civil society. GTI Foundation and GRA have cooperated to adapt the 9-point plan for fast and fair permitting to the context of small islands, addressing recommendations to both island states and central governments, in the case of island territories and sub-national island jurisdictions.

In the cover image: Solar and wind farm on Romainville Island, Seychelles; Anna Gorbacheva/istockphoto.