A UN-designated day raising awareness about the importance of a just, inclusive transition to clean and renewable energy for people and the planet.
Date26 January
TopicEnvironment & Sustainability
Established2023
Ways to observe this day
Check your home's energy efficiency and consider replacing outdated appliances
Support or follow local solar or renewable energy initiatives
Attend a talk or event about the future of clean energy
Cut back your own energy use today as a simple symbolic step
In 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/327, proclaiming January 26 as the International Day of Clean Energy. The date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009, the leading intergovernmental agency supporting countries' transition to renewable energy.
The day aims to raise awareness and mobilize international action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy that benefits both people and the planet, as part of broader global efforts to combat climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN resolution emphasizes the need to significantly increase the share of renewables in the global energy mix and improve energy efficiency by 2030, while ensuring no one is left behind, particularly in developing countries that still face limited access to electricity.
International institutions, governments, and the private sector mark the day with conferences and panels on solar, wind, and green hydrogen energy, the launch of financing initiatives for clean energy projects, and awareness campaigns encouraging individuals and businesses to reduce energy waste and shift toward cleaner sources.