New IEA global commission will champion policies supporting fairness and affordability in clean energy transitions

The IEA is convening a new Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions to examine how to design and implement policies that lead to a more equitable energy system – supporting decision makers around the world as they seek to prioritise affordability and fairness in clean energy transitions.

The new Commission will draw on international best practices and the experiences of members to develop actionable recommendations. It is co-chaired by Teresa Ribera, Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, and Alexandre Silveira de Oliveira, Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, and comprises energy, climate and labour leaders from governments around the world, along with high-level representatives from international organisations and labour, Indigenous, youth and civil society groups.

Building on the recommendations issued in 2021 by the first Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions, members will work to identify strategies to ensure all energy transition policies reflect the principle of fairness and help improve energy affordability. They will also seek to establish key mechanisms for monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of these policy tools, as well as the social impacts of transitions more broadly.

The launch of the Commission was first announced at the Global Summit on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions hosted by the IEA at its headquarters in April. The IEA will act as the Commission’s main coordinator and administrative body. It will also undertake specific analysis or research as requested by the Commission’s members.

“Clean energy transitions will only succeed if their advantages are shared with all parts of society – including communities that have historically been at the margins of the energy economy. This starts with fair and equitable policies, which are the focus of this new Global Commission,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “I am delighted that Deputy Prime Minister Ribera and Minister Silveira have agreed to serve as co-chairs. We look forward to the Global Commission’s findings and guidance on this critical issue, which will strengthen policy discussions on this topic at national and international levels.”

“To ensure a just energy transition is a shared responsibility. The energy transition should not only be a change in the colour of electrons or molecules, but also an opportunity to ensure access to affordable energy, reduce inequalities and generate redistributive economic opportunities,” said Deputy Prime Minister Ribera. “This Global Commission is an important tool to coordinate our work in this way. "

“We believe that the energy transition cannot be understood solely as a process of technological replacement. Global energy leaders must commit to making this transition just and inclusive, envisioning it as a new model of economic and social development to ensure that no one is left behind.” said Minister Silveira. “Brazil is honoured to contribute to the activities of this Global Commission, which aligns closely with our G20 agenda.”

The first meeting of the Commission will take place in October at the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. The issues explored by the Commission will feature highly on the agenda of the G20 this year and COP30 next year, both under Brazil’s Presidency.

In addition to the two co-chairs, members of the Commission representing governments include:

• Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
• Omar Andrés Camacho, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy
• Diego Pardow Lorenzo, Chile’s Minister of Energy
• Dan Jorgensen, Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities
• Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action
• Arifin Tasrif, Indonesia’s Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources
• Fareed Yasseen, Iraq’s Special Climate Envoy
• Zulfiya Suleimenova, Special Representative of the President of Kazakhstan on International Environmental Cooperation
• Sang-hyup Kim, Co-Chairperson of Korea’s Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth
• Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment
• Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment
• Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal’s Minister for Environment and Energy

Members representing international organisations, labour unions and other parts of civil society include:

• Hadiza Abdulmumini, Global Focal Point for the SDG7 Youth Constituency
• Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown and Co-Chair of C40 Cities
• Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ENGIE
• John W. H. Denton AO, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce
• Chief Sharleen Gale, Chair of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition
• Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Climate Action and Just Transition
• Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the International Labour Organization
• Helena Leurent, Director General of Consumers International
• Zingiswa Losi, President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions
• Sheila Oparaocha, Director of the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy
• Ayisha Siddiqa, Youth Climate Advisor to the UN Secretary-General
• Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation
• Laurence Tubiana, Chief Executive Officer of the European Climate Foundation