• Friday, March 29, 2024

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United States joins International Solar Alliance at COP26

US special climate envoy John Kerry speaks during a joint China and US statement on a declaration enhancing climate action in the 2020’s on day eleven of the COP26 climate change conference at the SEC on November 10, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

By: Shubham Ghosh

THE United States on Wednesday (10) became the 101st member to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

In a statement, the ISA said, “In a big boost to accelerate global adoption of solar energy, John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, announced at the UNFCCC COP26 today (Wednesday) that the United States of America (USA) has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a member country.”

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Kerry, who signed the framework agreement, said in a statement, “It has long been coming, and we are happy to join the International Solar Alliance, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead in making. We worked out the details and this is a process we are pleased to be a part of.”

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The former US secretary of state also said that this will be an important contribution to the more rapid deployment of solar globally and it will be particularly significant for developing nations.

Indian environment, forest and climate change minister Bhupender Yadav said in a statement, “We welcome the United States of America as the 101st member of the ISA. This move will strengthen the ISA and propel future action on providing a clean source of energy to the world.”

Ajay Mathur, ISA director-general, said in the statement, “The US’ endorsement of the ISA’s framework and approach is a heartening development, especially as our 101st member nation, which is a significant milestone in itself.”

He added that the US’ joining ISA showed that countries across the world are recognising the economic and climate mitigating value of solar as well as the energy source’s potential as a catalyst for global energy transition.

The framework was first circulated for the support of nations in 2016. The approach and methods detailed in the framework have already delivered results with ISA setting up a solar-project pipeline of an installed capacity of nearly five gigawatt.

The approach detailed in the framework will culminate in a vision for interconnected global grids, which was formalised and jointly launched as the ‘Green Grids Initiative: One Sun One World One Grid’ during the World Leaders Summit of the ongoing COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 2.

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