The Global Alliance for 100% Renewable Energy recently called on European leaders to make firmer commitments to make a transition to renewable energy. The statement was made during the inauguration of the Alliance in Munich when member organizations stated that renewable energy has become the key to Europe’s future economic and industrial development.
The alliance highlighted “there is still a huge gap between the overwhelming socio-economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy and the political will to set adequate targets.” Members of the Alliance include the World Future Council, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and World Wind Energy Association. They called for regional, national and European wide 100% renewable energy targets within the next four decades.
“The benefits of powering a society entirely with renewable sources reach far beyond the environmental and climate change advantages. The decentralized nature of the change literally means power to the people. There is major added value to our democracies,” said Anna Leidreiter of the World Future Council.
Prof. Eicke R. Weber, Director of the Fraunhofer ISE, said already there are communities showcasing that 100% renewable energy is feasible. “There is a growing movement among local and regional governments to meet 100% of their energy needs with renewable sources. Most of these communities are in Europe, but there are some on other continents as well. Global Alliance for 100% Renewable Energy aims to expand this movement by establishing an international network of 100% renewable energy regions.”
There are several regions and communities in Germany and Denmark that are paving the way to a clean energy future. These success stories hinge on high citizen participation and the regional value creation taking place through decentralized energy production.
The Alliance has launched a global campaign called Go 100% Renewable Energy to build support for 100% renewable energy on the national, regional and local levels and to up the international debate to 100% renewable energy targets and solutions.
Visit the campaign web page for more information.
Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.
