The Commonwealth Secretariat and the International Hydropower Association (IHA) are teaming up to advance sustainable hydropower in member countries, in line with the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, and the Chief Executive Officer of IHA, Eddie Rich, outlines key areas of cooperation to help Commonwealth countries reach their sustainability goals. These include promoting policies that support investments in sustainable hydropower; encouraging the use of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard to certify environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance; and enhancing access to green finance for new projects.
The MOU also enables both parties to share information about training opportunities and new technologies, while exploring joint projects with a range of stakeholders through the Commonwealth Innovation Hub.
“There is a great deal of untapped potential in renewable sources of energy within the Commonwealth, including hydropower,” said Secretary-General Scotland. “Harnessing renewable energy is central to our efforts to achieve the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Agreement on climate change. This partnership offers our organizations the opportunity to leverage our combined networks and extensive expertise to enhance the role of hydropower in achieving decarbonization goals, enhancing energy security, and boosting sustainable development in the Commonwealth.”
Also attending the signing ceremony was IHA board member, Malcolm Turnbull, the former Prime Minister of Australia, who welcomed the unique role of the Commonwealth family in rallying 54 diverse nations around the clean energy transition. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific.
The new partnership will build on the work of the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda — which supports cooperation amongst member countries to accelerate an inclusive, just and equitable energy transition — and the Commonwealth Climate Change Programme.
