Clean Energy Day 2025: Sustainable Sourcing and Solutions
The world marks the third International Clean Energy Day on 26 January 2025, a day established to inspire global action towards a fair and sustainable transition to renewable energy.
This annual event, set in motion by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2023, serves as a reminder of the critical role clean energy plays in addressing climate change and achieving global development goals.
The story
International Clean Energy Day was officially designated by the UN in 2023 as a way to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030.
The date, 26 January, commemorates the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009, an organisation dedicated to aiding countries in their renewable energy transitions.
The UN emphasised the importance of a unified approach, stating the need for “a coherent, integrated approach to energy issues and the promotion of synergies across the global energy agenda, with a focus on eradicating poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”.
- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Why Clean Energy Day matters
The observance highlights the urgent need to shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources. Fossil fuels remain the primary driver of climate change, with their continued use undermining efforts to limit the rise in global temperatures.
Clean energy presents a viable solution to combat this crisis while also addressing energy access disparities and fostering development.
Today, an estimated 675 million people still lack electricity, with 80% of these individuals living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Access to clean energy is more than just an environmental concern—it is a human development issue. Reliable power can transform lives, enabling better education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
Clean energy’s role extends beyond addressing climate issues; it acts as a foundation for sustainable development.
Renewable energy technologies are crucial to meeting the targets of SDG7 and are increasingly seen as a pathway to improving lives while reducing environmental harm.
Sustainable sourcing: A key to success
International Clean Energy Day 2025 shines a light on the importance of sustainable sourcing and procurement in driving the clean energy transition.
As nations and businesses look to expand the adoption of renewable technologies, sourcing practices must evolve to align with sustainability principles.
Sustainable sourcing involves selecting suppliers with strong environmental and ethical credentials.
Businesses are increasingly encouraged to adopt procurement strategies that prioritise renewable energy technologies and low-carbon solutions. This includes investing in infrastructure for solar, wind and other renewable sources and implementing circular economy principles that minimise waste while optimising resource use.
For example, renewable energy companies can benefit from building ethical supply chains, ensuring materials like lithium and cobalt—used in batteries and other clean technologies—are responsibly mined and processed.
By adopting these practices, industries not only reduce their environmental footprint but also contribute to a global movement towards sustainability.
In addition, the clean energy transition depends on collaboration between governments, industries and individuals.
Mobilising resources and fostering partnerships are critical steps towards driving innovation, reducing costs and scaling up solutions. International Clean Energy Day acts as a rallying point, encouraging dialogue and knowledge-sharing on how to achieve this collective goal.
It’s time to stop burning our planet and start investing in the abundant renewable energy all around us.
Looking forward: Challenges and opportunities
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. The world is not on track to meet SDG7 by 2030 and millions still live without access to reliable electricity.
Yet, the momentum behind clean energy solutions is growing. The economic opportunities linked to renewable energy are immense, with job creation, public health benefits and energy security all forming part of the long-term vision.
International Clean Energy Day reminds us that a global transition to clean energy is not merely an environmental objective—it is also a pathway to better living standards and economic resilience.
This day serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of clean energy when paired with sustainable practices. With every innovation, investment and initiative, the world moves closer to a cleaner, more equitable future.
Explore the latest edition of Procurement Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Procurement Magazine is a BizClik brand.
