Arunabha Ghosh: Building the International Solar Alliance

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an exciting and bold initiative. Launched on the first day of the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris, it set the stage for India’s proactive and forward-looking leadership on climate change and the transition to a less carbon-intensive growth trajectory. It demonstrated that India was not shy of playing to its strengths. Although other countries have more solar power deployed currently, India will be one of the largest markets and its domestic policy (to build 100 gigawatts) has sent signals to developers and financiers. What is big in India can be bigger at a global level. The main aims of ISA include reducing financial risk across a larger global market, encouraging cooperation on technology, building capacity, and increasing energy access. Announcing an international platform, jointly with France but on the foundations of its domestic policies, helped India garner the support of 120 countries, a diplomatic feat indeed.

Yesterday, in Abu Dhabi, the ISA Steering Committee held its second meeting (within two months of launch), a sign that there is both interest in and momentum behind ISA. However, ISA is one among many multilateral and plurilateral initiatives, which have been launched in recent years. These include the International Renewable Energy Agency, Renewable Energy Policy Network, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, Global Green Growth Institute, and so on. As the newest inter-governmental institution in the world, it is imperative that ISA carves a niche for itself and demonstrates genuine value to its members. Here is a roadmap for immediate next steps.

First, select a director general (DG) with a secretariat: A dynamic DG can draw attention to the alliance, build relationships with member states and other international institutions, interact with the media regularly, and develop a strategic plan. The appointment of a DG will take time and will require consensus among member states. But a good choice would make the difference between leadership that can articulate and execute a vision and one that fails to grasp ISA’s potential. Read more…