The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21)

REN21 is the global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key actors. REN21’s goal is to facilitate knowledge exchange, policy development, and joint action towards a rapid global transition to renewable energy. The REN21 Secretariat is based at UNEP in Paris/France.

REN21 brings together governments, nongovernmental organisations, research and academic institutions, international organisations, and industry to learn from one another and build on successes that advance renewable energy. To assist policy decision making, REN21 provides high-quality information, catalyses discussion and debate, and supports the development of thematic networks. REN21’s activities support the 2014-2024 United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All.

The Renewables 2015 Global Status Report (GSR 2015) marks 10 years of REN21 reporting. Over the past decade the GSR has expanded in scope and depth with its thematic and regional coverage and the refinement of data collection. The GSR is the product of systematic data collection resulting in thousands of data points, the use of hundreds of documents, and personal communication with experts from around the world. It benefits from a multi-stakeholder community of over 500 experts. Ten years on, the GSR has established itself as the world’s most frequently-referenced report on the global renewable energy market, industry and policy landscape.

In addition to the GSR 2015, REN21 produced two regional reports in 2015. The SADC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Status Report and the UNECE Renewable Status Report both documented the current status of renewables in the respective regions and provided a comprehensive overview of the status of renewable energy and energy efficiency markets, industry, policy and regulatory frameworks, and investment activities. Produced with UNIDO and the UNECE respectively, these reports serve as baselines for renewable energy development in the regions.

In 2015 REN21’s revamped it Renewables Interactive Map allowing improved user access to the large quantity of data collected for the Renewables Global Status Report as well as the different Regional Status Reports. The addition of region-specific “dashboards” allows users to examine in-depth the renewable energy developments of a particular region. As part of its ongoing data collaboration with other data providers the REN21 the Renewables Interactive map is now accessible from IRENA’s REsource portal.