Our focus Energy Responsible Energy Initiative India The Responsible Energy Initiative (REI) is a multi-year programme working to ensure renewable energy in Asia achieves its full potential and creates value in a way that is ecologically safe, rights-respecting and socially just. REI India is the first inquiry launched as part of the Responsible Energy Initiative. Learn more about the REI programme About the Responsible Energy Initiative India REI India collaborates with the renewable energy sector to promote business models and value chains that actively uphold universal labour, land, and human rights; protect and restore resilient ecological systems; commit to participatory governance principles; and build inclusive, resilient communities and workforces. The programme helps the RE sector better understand risks along the value chain, introduces transformative business models, implements impactful interventions, and promotes responsible renewable energy approaches. REI looks at the entire RE value chain and enables stakeholders to design, test and implement solutions together. We believe that through deep collaboration, we will better equip actors to identify a shared view of what, how and where they can intervene to shape a responsible RE future. In India, REI is run by a consortium of 9 partners, with a group of 30 RE industry stakeholders, which includes some of the biggest RE companies, investors and manufacturers in the country. Who’s involved Our 2024-26 strategy: Driving a people-and planet-centric energy transition We believe that the current momentum in the sector, combined with our role as a critical friend, can help the RE sector scale socially just, ecologically safe, and regenerative renewable energy. Over the next three years, we aim to support the RE sector in mainstreaming responsible renewable energy in India through: Define, adopt and institutionalise responsible energy practices Cultivate people-centric business models Accelerate circular RE value chains Currently, we are progressing the following six catalytic projects in partnership with RE sector to demonstrate pioneering practices across the value chain Playbook for investing in responsible renewable energy Led by Forum for the Future An estimated $30-40 billion in annual investment is required by the India RE sector to meet its target of 450GW by 2030. However, ESG mechanisms are yet to realise their full potential towards aligning economic, social and ecological benefits across all stakeholder groups and the value chain. The Playbook for investing in responsible RE aims to provide practical guidance to embed responsible renewable energy principles in decision making on RE through close engagement of and collaboration with investors, fund managers and other stakeholders. Multiple land-use for energy and food security Led by TERI A rapid transition to clean energy requires significant amounts of land to increase India’s RE capacity. This project explores and aims to develop a unique socio-technical agri-PV model where renewable energy development contributes to building communities’ capacity to adapt, by ensuring energy, water and food security. Circularity innovation challenge Led by WRI India The rapid production and deployment of renewable energy means that demand for materials, minerals and manufacturing is growing quickly. However, supply chains in renewable energy are not set up to effectively manage the waste that is and will be generated inadvertently. The innovation challenge aims to create a truly circular RE value chain – one that centres the principles of reuse, repair and remanufacture throughout. Promising innovations that can embed circularity across the supply chain will be tested for viability and feasibility with manufacturers and developers. A guide to responsible energy development Led by CEEW We are developing a living, evolving guide for the RE developers to enhance responsibility, transparency and accountability in project deployment; building on existing mechanisms and through a tiered approach along the spectrum of responsibility. The Responsible RE framework will be based on a comprehensive understanding of the expectations of the communities and experiences of the industry in using other frameworks. Responsible RE procurement Led by Climate Group Corporate and Industrial (C&I) renewable energy procurement is on the rise globally and in India. The C&I sector consumes over 50% of electricity production, and thus plays a key role in driving a rapid transition to clean energy and responsible RE deployment. Working collaboratively with C&I buyers who are part of RE100, the global corporate renewable energy initiative that brings together large businesses committed to 100% renewable energy, this project will engage them to set enhanced procurement standards in line with the ambition of responsible renewable energy. Championing participatory approaches for RE development Led by Consensus Building Institute We are developing a set of proactive participatory tools for the RE sector to engage with communities that aim to provide more long-term, sustainable solutions that integrate social, ecological and economic values. The approaches will help mitigate any development conflicts in renewable energy projects, where communities, government agencies and businesses contest siting, operation of infrastructure, and access to water, forest and land; and enable proactive and consistent engagement and contribute to SDGs over the longer term. Renewable Energy to Responsible Energy: A Call to Action The Initiative’s first report, titled Renewable Energy to Responsible Energy: A Call to Action, was launched in March 2021. The report provides a broad understanding of the environmental and social impacts being generated by the Indian RE sector and the extent to which these impacts are currently being governed, managed and mitigated. It recognises that many of the challenges faced by the RE sector are systemic, affecting multiple sectors and requiring international alliances. Download the executive summary Download the full report Watch the recording of the launch event Towards a Responsible Renewable Energy System in India Following the Call to Action in March 2021, participants of the REI India including leading international and national stakeholders in India’s renewable energy system, such as investors, lenders, developers, manufacturers, buyers, associations, and think tanks came together over the course of a year to build a systemic, ambitious, and pioneering vision for the value that renewable energy can create beyond mitigating climate change, along with the guiding principles to realise this vision. Read our Vision and Principles Watch the launch event here 14 February 2024 The Responsible Renewable Energy Summit The Responsible Renewable Energy (RE) Summit 2024, organised by the Responsible Energy Initiative together with the National Solar Energy Federation of India and supported by Climate Trends, aimed to raise awareness and deepen understanding of responsible renewable energy practices in India. In its second edition, the Responsible Renewable Energy Summit brought together renewable energy experts, sector leaders, policymakers, innovators, and civil society representatives to deliberate on the responsible adoption of renewable energy. The focus was on practical interventions and scalable approaches to ensure that India's growth in renewable energy is both sustainable and inclusive. The summit explored critical challenges, including: How can we ensure the responsible sourcing of materials for renewable energy projects? What measures can be taken to maximize the positive environmental impact of renewable energy infrastructure? How can the renewable energy industry promote transparency and accountability across its supply chain? In what ways can responsible practices be integrated throughout the life cycle of renewable energy projects? How can the industry ensure that diverse socio-economic groups benefit from the renewable energy transition? What policies and regulatory frameworks are needed to support and enforce responsible renewable energy practices? Catch up on the insights from the Summit in the recordings Get involved Reach out to our team at [email protected] to find out more about how you can collaborate together with REI India. Manage Cookie Preferences