TEHRAN – Marked on January 26 every year, the International Day of Clean Energy aims to drive equitable and sustainable energy transitions, leaving no one behind and protecting the planet.

Theme ‘Clean Energy for People and Planet’, the day emphasizes the critical role of renewable energy, sustainable technologies, and energy efficiency in creating a cleaner, greener future for all.

Energy lies at the core of a double challenge: leaving no one behind and protecting the Planet. And clean energy is crucial to its solution.

In a world grappling with climate change, clean energy plays a vital role in reducing emissions and can also benefit communities lacking access to reliable power sources. Still today, 666 million people live in the dark – more than 85 per cent of them in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The connection between clean energy, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability is crucial in addressing issues faced by vulnerable communities worldwide.

For populations without clean energy access, the lack of reliable power hinders education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and many of these developing regions still rely heavily on polluting fossil fuels for their daily life, perpetuating poverty. An estimated 1.5 billion people in rural areas still use unsafe, unhealthy, and inefficient cooking systems, such as burning wood or dung, and the number of people without clean cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa continues to rise at a rate of 14 million people yearly because of population growth.

Although this situation has been gradually improving, the world is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030.

On a positive note, notable progress is being made on the transition to clean energy: installed renewables capacity per capita has continued to grow each year, reaching a new high of 341 watts per capita in developing countries, up from 155 watts in 2015.

But adopting clean energy is integral to the fight against climate change, as well.

A large chunk of the greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth and trap the Sun’s heat are generated through energy production, by burning fossil fuels (oil, coal, and gas) to generate electricity and heat.

The science is clear: to limit climate change, we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable. Renewable energy sources – which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth – are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.

At the same time, improving energy efficiency is key. Using less energy for the same output – through more efficient technologies in the transport, building, lighting, and appliances sectors, for instance saves money, cuts down on carbon pollution, and helps ensure universal access to sustainable energy for all.

Iran committed to developing sustainable, clean energy

Attending the 29th meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in September 2025, Iran’s representative underlined the country’s commitment to the expansion of renewable energy sources by taking various measures.

These include growing solar and wind power production capacities and implementing strategies to improve energy efficiency across residential and industrial sectors, IRNA reported.

The 29th IRENA was held on September 11 and 12 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Iran participated in the meeting for the first time.

The meeting gathered more than 400 officials from IRENA’s Members, comprising 169 countries and the European Union, to provide strategic guidance on the Agency’s work programme and to address pressing issues shaping today’s global energy transition.

A key highlight for the 29th Council was a programmatic discussion on energy security, exploring pathways to diversify supply chains, support next-generation technologies, and strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities.

The session featured IRENA’s latest analysis on the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of renewable energy supply chains, with a specific focus on the solar PV sector.

IRENA Members also discussed advancing investments in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are recognised as central to decarbonising long-haul aviation by IRENA. The Agency presented its latest work on supporting SAF projects and mobilising investments through its financing platforms, helping countries and developers move projects from concept to bankable ventures.

MT/MG