Renewable and clean energy

The International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA

The International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA is an intergovernmental organisation that focuses on promoting renewable energy. It was founded in 2009 and Finland became a member in 2011. IRENA’s head office is in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Its Innovation and Technology Centre is located in Bonn, Germany.

Further information: kati.veijonen(at)gov.fi 

CEM and Mission Innovation

Finland is working together internationally with the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and the Mission Innovation (MI) initiative created alongside CEM. Practically all the G20 countries and four of the Nordic countries are involved in these forums.

CEM has several collaboration initiatives ongoing in the field of clean energy and, based on their own interests, each participating country decides which ones they want to participate and invest in. Previously funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the CEM secretariat has now moved to the IEA and its operations are funded by the CEM states.

Mission Innovation (MI) is a global initiative announced at the Paris climate conference in 2015. Its goal is to increase ecological energy innovations in order to mitigate climate change and secure clean energy sources. Finland became a member in September 2016. The member countries have pledged to double their research and development funding for clean technology by 2020.

MI’s Innovation Challenges (MICs) incorporate innovation cooperation in seven areas, including smart grids, sustainable biofuels and affordable heating and cooling of buildings.

Further information: timo.ritonummi(at)gov.fi