19 November 2014: The first session of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy, a body established by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Sustainable Energy, resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNECE and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). The meeting also reviewed the status of renewable energy in the region and discussed the best approach to developing and deploying renewables.

The meeting convened from 18-19 November 2014, in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of UNECE Sustainable Energy Week and in conjunction with the 23rd session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy. During its meeting, the Group of Experts noted that while the UNECE region has high renewable energy potential, long-term policy measures could improve market conditions. The group also recognized a need for closing gaps and decreasing data inconsistencies. The MoU was signed as a step toward addressing this need.

Under the MoU, UNECE and REN21 will collaborate on renewable energy information, experience and best practice collection and dissemination. According to UNECE, the methods used will be based on the data collection process developed by REN21. The parties plan to jointly work to better understand renewables in the region. The data collected will be used to inform policy aimed at accelerating the deployment of renewable energy technologies.

The Group also discussed providing energy access to those communities in the region lacking it and creating a market environment that will attract renewable energy investments. To this end, the Experts highlighted the importance of the exchange of know-how and best practices and considered the merits of developing and establishing UNECE standards for renewable energy.

The Group of Experts also agreed on its Work Plan, which continues the Group’s work in cooperation with international actors to deploy renewable energy more quickly in the region. [First Session of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy] [IISD RS Sources] [Committee on Sustainable Energy Webpage] [CSE23 Webpage] [IISD RS Story on Committee on Sustainable Energy – 23rd Session] [IISD RS Story on Sustainable Energy Week Workshop] [IISD RS Story on Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency Meeting]