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The International Renewable Energy Agency: a success story in institutional innovation?

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  • Johannes Urpelainen
  • Thijs Van de Graaf

Abstract

This article interprets the role and significance of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in global environmental and energy governance. First, we conduct a comparative analysis of IRENA and other recent innovations in global governance, showing that IRENA stands out with regard to the timing of creation, speed of ratification, and focus of the mandate. Second, we identify three mechanisms through which IRENA can promote the global diffusion of renewable energy: (1) by offering valuable epistemic services to its member states, (2) by serving as a focal point for renewable energy in a scattered global institutional environment, and (3) by mobilizing other international institutions to promote renewable energy. Finally, we reflect on the conditions that could make IRENA’s policies a continued success and on the lessons that the experience with IRENA holds for other attempts at innovation in global governance. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Urpelainen & Thijs Van de Graaf, 2015. "The International Renewable Energy Agency: a success story in institutional innovation?," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 159-177, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ieaple:v:15:y:2015:i:2:p:159-177
    DOI: 10.1007/s10784-013-9226-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Mengi-Dinçer, H. & Ediger, V.Ş. & Yesevi, Ç.G., 2021. "Evaluating the International Renewable Energy Agency through the lens of social constructivism," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Amer S. Alsalman & Talal Alharbi & Ahmed A. Mahfouz, 2023. "Enhancing the Stability of an Isolated Electric Grid by the Utilization of Energy Storage Systems: A Case Study on the Rafha Grid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-24, September.
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    7. Heubaum, Harald & Biermann, Frank, 2015. "Integrating global energy and climate governance: The changing role of the International Energy Agency," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 229-239.
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    9. Pritee Sharma & Salla Nithyanth Kumar, 2020. "The global governance of water, energy, and food nexus: allocation and access for competing demands," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 377-391, June.
    10. Tony Mueller, 2023. "When policy entrepreneurs drift between levels: The creation of the International Renewable Energy Agency," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 14(4), pages 588-599, September.

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