International Solar Alliance 2024

The International Solar Alliance, commonly called the ISA, is a member-driven organization that seeks action and collaboration from colleagues to further the deployment of solar energy technology in member countries. Solar energy is one of the most popular alternative energies on the planet, and in the wake of the oil and gas crisis amidst warring and political tensions, the organization has begun getting a lot of traction.

The ISA develops, installs, and ships solutions and technology to the member countries that it is affiliated with. This ameliorates low-carbon growth trajectories, with a focus on those areas and countries that are considered the least developed, whether it is from an energy standpoint or otherwise. ISA is a global platform, which is of key importance. This means that they can have independent partnerships with banks, organizations, and private/public sectors that seek to change access to renewable and clean energy throughout the globe.

Solar energy may be more expensive, but it is a tool that has not been properly harnessed throughout the years. Oil and gas burning has long plagued nations for their inefficiency, but many countries have realized that with ongoing macroeconomic factors, this may be one of the few solutions left available to us.

How Was The ISA Started?

The ISA is a global organization that allows entry to member nations that swear to uphold its principles, which is done through a lengthy membership process. The ISA was first conceptualized at the 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was held in Paris in 2015. In 2020, the ISA amended its framework agreement, so that all member states which are part of the UN (United Nations) are eligible to join through a similar process. At the time of this writing, there are 107 countries included in the ISA Framework Agreement. 87 of the 107 countries have submitted the necessary information to the council, which has fully ratified them as members.

What Does The ISA Do?

Simply put, the ISA wants to provide full and swift access to solar technology, equipment, and solutions to put member nations on the solar grid, starting with the least developed or most troubled areas. It also consults member nations with enough resources, but a lack of direction or know-how to deploy and implement these solutions. The ISA adopted its "Towards 1000" strategy, which is a goal to mobilize over one trillion US dollars in investment in solar energy and associated solutions by the year 2030. This tremendous amount of financial support would help to further mitigate solar emissions by around a billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

Their approach is pragmatic. The ISA has 9 comprehensive programs, which focus on different applications to scale the deployment of the technology further. Around these 9 programs are 4 focus areas - which are: analytics & advocacy, capacity, program support, and readiness to enable activities. The ISA wants to tackle each root issue that is plaguing the deployment of solar solutions in each member nation.