New drive for 100% renewable energy launched in Bonn

Industry representatives have launched The Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform in Bonn, Germany.

The Platform’s work will be guided by its principles that all new investments into energy systems have to be 100% renewable energy based, and that decentralized and people-centered approaches are the best way to transform societies.

During the launch event, held on May 8, 2017, the experts on renewable energy presented solutions and strategies for achieving global 100% renewable energy, in line with the world’s climate change mitigation needs.

The members of the Platform have also launched a practical toolkit for sustainable transition to 100% renewable energy, called ‘100% RE Building Blocks’.

It addresses legislators, government officials, and community champions who are motivated to bring the 100% renewable energy vision forward within their communities. It also unveils that transitioning towards 100% renewable energy requires systematic change beyond energy technologies.

Bill McKibben, Platform Ambassador and Co-Founder of 350.org, said: “Everybody knows that we will get to using renewable energy sources simply because they are free, but we have to get there so very fast if we have any hope of catching up with the effects of climate change.”

Naoto Kan, Platform Ambassador and Former Prime Minister of Japan: “Renewables contribute to world peace because conflicts over resources can be avoided if countries can produce their own electricity sustainably.”

Some of the founding members of the Platform include Climate Action Network (CAN), International Hydropower Association (IHA), Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie (BEE) and World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).