21 November 2011: The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) has published its November 2011 Newsletter, which includes an editorial by Christine Lins, Executive Secretary of REN21, and news from the REN21 Secretariat and from the REN21 Network.

In her editorial, Christine Lins underscores how the status of renewable energy has changed significantly since REN21 was created in 2004, noting rapid growth in renewables. Lins recalls, however, that they remain only a modest share of final energy consumption, but stressed that in numerous recent scenario papers, renewables emerge as mainstream energy sources for both economic and ecological reasons. She continues by describing the changed institutional landscape, with the creation of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and scaled-up analytical work by the International Energy Agency (IEA), underscoring that this does not change the fundamentals of REN21, but rather adapts and strengthens its mission to convene international multi-stakeholder leaders with the aim of enabling a rapid global transition to renewable energy, and aligns its activities to respond to the changed times, positioning the network in partnership with the aforementioned actors.

In news from the REN21 Secretariat, the Newsletter features the launch of the Global Status Report 2011 (GSR2011), officially launched in more than six countries; the REN21 Renewables Interactive Map, featuring comprehensive datasets in a user friendly structure; REN21’s participation at the official opening of the IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC) in Bonn, Germany and the launch of Norways Energy+ Initiative.

In news from the REN21 Network, the Newsletter includes an article on the Global Environmental Facility’s (GEF) role in deploying renewable energy in the developing world; a brief spotlight on the latest developments in Germany’s renewable energy policy; news on the launch of the World Energy Outlook 2011; and an announcement of ACORE’s Phase II National Policy Conference: “Renewable Energy in America – Creating Security and Prosperity.” [REN21 Newsletter] [GSR2011] [REN21 Renewables Interactive Map]