International Clean Energy Day

International Clean Energy Day 2025: a call for global action

On 26 January, the International Clean Energy DayThis is a date set by the UN to promote the transition to sustainable energy sources and to remind us of the importance of protecting the planet and leaving no one behind. The choice of this date commemorates the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a key agency in accelerating the shift to clean and renewable sources of energy.

The World Environment Education DayThe main purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the importance of caring for and protecting the environment. This day seeks to encourage the active participation of the world's population in initiatives for the conservation of natural resources, promoting a collective awareness of the environmental challenges we face and the solutions needed to solve them.

Environmental education plays a fundamental role as a basis for building a sustainable future. It enables people to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to understand the importance of respecting the environment, managing natural resources properly and reversing damage to the planet. Among the main issues addressed are the climate changethe floodsthe deforestationThe forest fires and the species extinction flora and fauna, among others.

The aim of this education is to promote a cultural shift towards environmentally responsible behaviour, remembering that the environment is a vulnerable ecosystem and that its resources are not inexhaustible. This helps to develop a critical perspective on humanity's role within nature, encouraging respect and action to achieve a balance between human needs and the conservation of the planet.

Specific objectives of World Environment Education Day:

1. Sensitisation and awareness: Promote greater sensitivity to environmental problems and their impact on our environment, encouraging the search for alternative solutions.
2. Knowledge: To provide a comprehensive understanding of the environment, associated problems and human responsibility for its preservation.
3. Attitudes: To develop social values and a deep interest in the protection and improvement of the environment, encouraging active participation.
4. Skills: To help individuals and groups to acquire the necessary skills to identify and solve environmental problems.
5. Evaluation capacity: To teach how to evaluate environmental measures and programmes in terms of ecological, political, social, aesthetic and educational factors.
6. Participation: To awaken a sense of responsibility and urgency about environmental problems, promoting the adoption of concrete and appropriate actions for their solution.

Furthermore, this day emphasises the need for governments to adopt effective measures and public policies aimed at solving environmental challenges. It also highlights the importance of generating environmental statistics and data to facilitate informed and strategic decision-making.

What is clean energy?

Clean energy includes all energy sources that have a minimal environmental impact and do not emit greenhouse gases during their production and use. These sources can be both renewable and non-renewable. The main forms of clean energy include:

• Solar energyCaptures sunlight to produce electricity or heat.
• Wind energyWind turbines: Converts wind into electricity by means of turbines.
• Hydroelectric power: Harnesses the movement of water, such as rivers or tides.
• Geothermal energyIt uses the Earth's internal heat.
• Biomass energyEnergy generation from organic matter, such as plants and animal waste.
• Ocean energyTidal energy: This includes both tidal energy and wave energy.
• Nuclear energyAlthough controversial because of the radioactive waste it generates, it is clean in terms of carbon emissions.

Importance of clean energy for the planet

Clean energy plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change, as it significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the main cause of global warming. In this area, the renewable energies They stand out for their ability to regenerate naturally and not deplete, making them a sustainable long-term solution.

In addition to reducing environmental pollution, renewable energies allow access to electricity in remote areas. For example, small solar panels have transformed life in isolated communities in the Peruvian Amazon, as illustrated in the docuseries "The light that remains". Such initiatives not only improve the quality of life, but also contribute to local development and energy self-sufficiency.

Another advantage of renewable energies is their ability to be reversible, minimising their impact at the end of their useful life. This contrasts with fossil fuels, whose extraction and use generate irreparable damage to the environment.

Economic and social impact of clean energy

Clean energy not only protects the environment, but also has important social and economic benefits:

1. Environmental protectionThe absence of greenhouse gas emissions makes it essential to mitigate the effects of climate change.
2. Energy securityIt reduces dependence on fossil fuels, stabilising prices and guaranteeing electricity supply.
3. Economic growth and employmentIn 2023, global investments in clean technologies will grow by 50 %, reaching $235 billion, especially in batteries and solar panels. This boom will also generate 122 million jobs by 2050, many of them linked to renewable energy.
4. Universal access to energy: Today, 685 million people lack access to electricity, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainable energy solutions could close this gap and improve the living conditions of millions of people.
5. Economic resilienceRenewable energy protects countries from fossil fuel price fluctuations, reducing energy costs and increasing economic stability.

A sustainable future

Despite progress, challenges remain, such as the unequal distribution of renewable capacity globally. While developed countries account for 85 % of installations, Africa accounts for only 1.6 %. Reducing these disparities is key to ensuring equitable and sustainable development.

International Clean Energy Day is not just a celebration, but a call for global action. To achieve a fossil-free future, it is essential to align policy, innovation and investment towards a common goal: combating climate change. Only with a collective commitment can we redefine the way we generate and use energy, ensuring a cleaner and more liveable planet for future generations.