International Solar Alliance

2022-05-23T23:50:12Z

122.161.75.77:

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}

{{Infobox organization
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| formation = 30 November 2015
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| purpose = Bring together a group of nations to endorse clean energy, sustainable environment, public transport and climate
| headquarters = [[Gurgaon|Gurugram]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
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| language = [[Hindi Language|Hindi]], [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]]
| leader_title = Director General
| leader_name = [[Ajay Mathur]]
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| name = International Solar Alliance
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| image = https://scroll.in/latest/871635/french-president-macron-raises-aid-for-developing-countries-to-adopt-solar-energy-by-three-times
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| abbreviation = ISA
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| founding_location = [[Paris]], [[France]]
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| region_served = All members of UN
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| fields = [[Renewable energy]]
| membership = 81 members of UN|
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| website = [https://www.isolaralliance.org/ International Solar Alliance]
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[[File:World map torrid.svg|thumb|World map with the [[tropics|Torrid Zone]], the area between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, highlighted in red.]]

The '''International Solar Alliance''' ('''ISA''') is an alliance of 106 signatory countries (86 of whom are members),<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=International Solar Alliance|url=https://isolaralliance.org/membership/countries|access-date=2022-02-07|website=isolaralliance.org}}</ref> most being '''sunshine countries''', which lie either completely or partly between the [[Tropic of Cancer]] and the [[Tropic of Capricorn]]. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient consumption of [[solar energy]] to reduce dependence on [[fossil fuel]]s. This initiative was first proposed by [[Prime Minister of India|Indian Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] in a speech in November 2015 at [[Wembley Stadium]] (London HA9 0WS, United Kingdom), in which he referred to sunshine countries as ''Suryaputra'' ("Sons of the Sun").<ref>{{Cite web|title = Narendra Modi's Speech at Wembley Stadium: As It Happened|url = https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/11/13/live-blog-narendra-modis-speech-at-the-wembley-stadium/|website =Wall Street Journal|access-date = 2015-11-18}}</ref> The alliance is a [[treaty]]-based [[inter-governmental organization]]. Countries that do not fall within the Tropics can join the alliance and enjoy all benefits as other members, with the exception of voting rights.<ref name = "BS1"/>

The initiative was launched by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] at the [[India–Africa Forum Summit|India Africa Summit]], and a meeting of member countries ahead of the [[2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in Paris in November 2015.<ref>{{citation|title=PM Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande to launch game changing solar alliance|url=http://economictimes.com/industry/energy/power/pm-narendra-modi-and-french-president-francois-hollande-to-launch-game-changing-solar-alliance/articleshow/49975568.cms|publisher=[[The Economic Times]]|date=30 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=France, India to launch global solar alliance|url=http://reuters.com/article/idINKBN0TI0QR20151129?irpc=932|agency=Reuters|date=29 November 2015}}</ref> The framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance opened for signatures in [[Marrakesh]], [[Morocco]], in November 2016, and 102 countries have joined.<ref name=":0" />

==Headquarters==
The ISA is headquartered in [[Gurgaon|Gurugram]], India.<ref name="et-16nov16"/> In January 2016, [[Narendra Modi]], and the then [[President of France|French President]] [[François Hollande]] jointly laid the foundation stone of the ISA Headquarters and inaugurated the interim Secretariat at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in [[Gwal Pahari]], [[Gurugram]], [[India]]. The Indian government has dedicated five acres of land on the NISE campus for its future headquarters; it also has contributed {{INRConvert|1.75|b}} to the fund to build a campus and for meeting expenditures for the first five years.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=International Solar Alliance will be the First International and Inter-Governmental Organisation of 121 Countries to have Headquarters in India with United Nations as Strategic Partner|url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135794|publisher=Press Information Bureau, [[National Informatics Centre]], Government of India}}</ref>

The alliance is also called International Agency for Solar Policy and Application (IASPA).<ref>{{Cite web|title = Reports: India to announce global solar power alliance|url = http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2431974/reports-india-to-announce-global-solar-power-alliance|website = www.businessgreen.com|access-date = 2015-11-18}}</ref>

==Objective==
The focus is on solar power utilization. The launching of such an alliance in Paris also sends a strong signal to the global communities about the sincerity of the developing nations towards their concern about climate change and to switch to a low-carbon growth path. India has pledged a target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy of which 100 GW will be solar energy by 2022 and reduction in emission intensity by 33–35% by 2030 to let solar energy reach to the most unconnected villages and communities and also towards creating a clean planet.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 107 'sunshine countries' could weld together ahead of Paris meet to give shape to PM's vision – The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/107-sunshine-countries-could-weld-together-ahead-of-Paris-meet-to-give-shape-to-PMs-vision/articleshow/48796738.cms|website = The Times of India|access-date = 2015-11-30}}</ref> India's pledge to the Paris summit offered to bring 40% of its electricity generation capacity (not actual production) from non-fossil sources (renewable, large hydro, and nuclear) by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web|title = India unveils global solar alliance of 120 countries at Paris climate summit|url = https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/30/india-set-to-unveil-global-solar-alliance-of-120-countries-at-paris-climate-summit|website = the Guardian|access-date = 2015-12-01|first = Arthur|last = Neslen}}</ref>
It is based on world cooperation.

==Geographical importance==
The area of Earth located in between the [[Tropic of Cancer]] and [[Tropic of Capricorn]] is called the tropical (torrid) zone. This is the part of the world in which the sun can appear directly overhead, and that more-direct exposure means that the sun's actual effect is greater here; anywhere north or south of this zone, sunlight always reaches the earth's surface at an angle and is correspondingly less intense.<ref>{{Cite web|title = What is the significance of the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle? (Beginner) – Curious About Astronomy? Ask an Astronomer|url = http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/physics/160-our-solar-system/the-earth/seasons/15-what-is-the-significance-of-the-tropic-of-cancer-tropic-of-capricorn-arctic-circle-and-antarctic-circle-beginner|website = curious.astro.cornell.edu|access-date = 2015-11-30}}</ref> The sunniest countries of the world are on the African continent, ranging from Somalia- Horn of Africa-, east to Niger, west and north to Egypt.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Which countries receive the most sunlight?|url = http://earth.rice.edu/mtpe/geo/geosphere/hot/energyfuture/Sunlight.html|website = earth.rice.edu|access-date = 2015-11-30|archive-date = 26 June 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190626210003/http://earth.rice.edu/mtpe/geo/geosphere/hot/energyfuture/Sunlight.html|url-status = dead}}</ref>

For India, possible additional benefits from the alliance can be a strengthening of ties with the major African countries and increasing goodwill for India among them.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Modi to launch solar alliance on first day of Paris climate summit|url = http://www.livemint.com/Politics/v38XtCkGXRtXtxG60gLx9K/Modi-to-launch-solar-alliance-on-first-day-of-Paris-climate.html|website = livemint.com/|access-date = 2015-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = International Solar Alliance sign of India's leadership on global stage, say experts – Firstpost|url = http://www.firstpost.com/world/international-solar-alliance-sign-of-indias-leadership-on-global-stage-say-experts-2528060.html|website = Firstpost|access-date = 2015-12-04}}</ref>

==Members==
The alliance is a [[treaty]]-based [[inter-governmental organization]].<ref name="et-16nov16">{{Cite web |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/international-solar-alliance-opened-for-signing-in-morocco/articleshow/55457526.cms |title=International Solar Alliance opened for signing in Morocco |year=2016 |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> The framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance opened for signatures in [[Marrakech]], [[Morocco]], in November 2016, on the sidelines of the [[Marrakech Climate Change Conference]] (the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties, or COP 22). On its first day (15 November), sixteen countries signed the Agreement: [[India]], [[Brazil]], the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], the [[Dominican Republic]], the [[Republic of Guinea]], [[Mali]]; [[Nauru]]; [[Niger]]; [[Tanzania]]; [[Tuvalu]]; [[Cambodia]]; [[Ethiopia]]; [[Burkina Faso]]; [[Bangladesh]] and [[Madagascar]].<ref name="et-16nov16"/> By 17 November, [[Guinea Bissau]], [[Fiji]], [[France]] also signed the agreement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://isolaralliance.org/countries_2.html|title=Allied Countries|website=isolaralliance.org|language=en|access-date=2017-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023143953/http://isolaralliance.org/countries_2.html|archive-date=23 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 6 November 2017 India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a meeting with Guinea's Foreign Minister, Mamady Toure. During the course of this meeting, Mamady Toure handed over Guinea's Instrument of Accession to the India-initiated International Solar Alliance (ISA).
[[Vanuatu]] and [[Liberia]] also signed the agreement.<ref name = "BS1">{{cite web|title=19 countries sign up for solar alliance|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/19-countries-sign-up-for-solar-alliance-116111701463_1.html|website=Business Standard India|access-date=14 April 2017|date=17 November 2016}}</ref>

Subsequently, an additional 107 countries joined the agreement, including many major countries that lie between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, including [[Mexico]], [[Peru]], [[Chile]], [[Paraguay]], Brazil, India, [[Argentina]], and [[Australia]]. A conclave started from 30 November 2015 for the sunshine grouping, called the InSPA (International Agency for Solar Policy & Application).<ref>{{Cite web|title = 107 countries to join PM and his sunshine band in November – The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/107-countries-to-join-PM-and-his-sunshine-band-in-November/articleshow/48794733.cms|website = The Times of India|access-date = 2015-11-30}}</ref>

===Parties who have signed/ratified the framework of ISA===
The following countries are the prospective members of this alliance who have signed the framework. Countries marked with a plus have also [[Ratification|ratified]] the framework.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://isolaralliance.org/MemberCont.aspx |title=ISA Prospective Member Countries |access-date=6 May 2018 |archive-date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702175748/http://isolaralliance.org/MemberCont.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Afghanistan]], [[Bahrain]], [[Barbados]], [[Belarus]], [[Belgium]], [[Belize]], [[Bhutan]], [[Botswana]], [[Brunei Darussalam]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Cameroon]], [[Republic of the Congo|Congo]], [[Denmark]], [[El Salvador]], [[Finland]], [[Grenada]], [[Guatemala]], [[Haiti]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[Jamaica]], [[Liberia]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Maldives]], [[Marshall Islands]], [[Morocco]], [[Myanmar]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Oman]], [[Paraguay]], [[Philippines]], [[Romania]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Samoa]], [[Thailand]], and [[Trinidad and Tobago]] is the newest member of this alliance.<Br>
Greece and Israel formally joined ISA on 26 June 2021 and 18 October 2021 respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fisher|first=Noa|date=2021-10-18|title=Israel joint International Solar Alliance (ISA)|language=en|work=Ynetnews|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sks6l6qst|access-date=2021-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Israel to join India based International Solar Alliance|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/israel-to-join-india-based-international-solar-alliance-421685|access-date=2021-10-24|website=WION|language=en}}</ref>
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===List of Member Countries===
{{quote box|title=Legend|quote='''+''' means signed framework/ratified.|bgcolor = #ffffff}}
*{{unbulleted list|{{AFG}} <ref>As Afghanistan is now '''Islamic Emirate''', successor of the '''Islamic Republic government''', ''(the de facto state)'', it still has not made its policies clear about this alliance or any International Organisation, which previous government was member of.</ref>|{{small|[[File:Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg|15px]] [[Islamic Republic of Afghanistan|Afghanistan (Islamic Republic)]] +}}}}
*{{ALG}} +
*{{AUS}} +
*{{BHR}}
*{{BAN}} +
*{{BAR}} +
*{{BLR}}
*{{BEL}}
*{{BLZ}} +
*{{BEN}} +
*{{BHU}}
*{{BOL}} +
*{{BOT}} +
*{{BRA}} +
*{{BRN}}
*{{BUL}}
*{{BUR}} +
*{{BDI}} +
*{{CPV}} +
*{{CAM}} +
*{{CMR}} +
*{{CHA}} +
*{{CHI}} +
*{{COM}} +
*{{COG}}
*{{CRC}} +
*{{CUB}} +
*{{DRC}} +
*{{DEN}} +
*{{DJI}} +
*{{DMA}} +
*{{DOM}} +
*{{EGY}} +
*{{ELS}} +
*{{GEQ}} +
*{{ETH}} +
*{{FIJ}} +
*{{FIN}}
*{{FRA}} +
*{{GAB}} +
*{{GAM}} +
*{{GHA}} +
*{{GRN}} +
*{{GTM}}
*{{GUI}} +
*{{GBS}} +
*{{GUY}} +
*{{HTI}} +
*{{IND}} +
*{{IRL}}
*{{ISR}} +
*{{CIV}} +
*{{ITA}} +
*{{JAM}} +
*{{JPN}} +
*{{KIR}} +
*{{LBR}} +
*{{LUX}} +
*{{MAD}} +
*{{MAW}} +
*{{MDV}} +
*{{MHL}} +
*{{MLI}} +
*{{MRI}} +
*{{MOR}} +
*{{MOZ}} +
*{{MYA}} +
*{{NAM}} +
*{{NRU}} +
*{{NLD}} +
*{{NIC}} +
*{{NIG}} +
*{{NPL}} +
*{{OMN}} +
*{{PLW}} +
*{{PNG}} +
*{{PAR}}
*{{PER}} +
*{{PHL}}
*{{ROM}}
*{{RWA}} +
*{{LCA}} +
*{{VIN}} +
*{{SAM}} +
*{{STP}} +
*{{SAU}} +
*{{SEN}} +
*{{SEY}} +
*{{SOM}} +
*{{SSD}} +
*{{SRI}} +
*{{SUD}} +
*{{SUR}} +
*{{TAN}} +
*{{THA}}
*{{TON}} +
*{{TOG}} +
*{{TRI}} +
*{{TUV}} +
*{{UGA}} +
*{{UAE}} +
*{{UK}} +
*{{USA}} +
*{{VAN}} +
*{{VEN}} +
*{{YEM}} +
*{{ZMB}} +
{{div col end}}
Apart from these, there are 58 other members, making a total of 124 members to the alliance. Recently, Israel, United States, Greece join International Solar Alliance, membership rises to 102, Recently joined by Antigua & Barbados on 7 Jan 2022. Nepal has also joined the ISA making total membership to 105.

== Initiatives and partnerships ==
{{see also|Green Grids Initiative — One Sun, One World, One Grid}}
[[File:Global Solar Atlas 1.0.png|thumb|Global Solar Atlas<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalsolaratlas.info/|title=Global Solar Atlas|last=Solargis|website=globalsolaratlas.info|language=en|access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref>]]
The alliance has partnered with [[World Bank]] to launch [[Global Solar Atlas]] at an ISA event at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Global Solar Atlas is a free online tool that displays annual average solar power potential at any location in the world and thus identify potential sites for solar power generation. World Bank announced "This tool will help governments save millions of dollars on their own research and provide investors and solar developers with an easily accessible and uniform platform to compare resource potential between sites in one region or across multiple countries."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2017/01/17/new-world-bank-tool-helps-map-solar-potential|title=New World Bank Tool Helps Map Solar Potential|work=World Bank|access-date=2018-02-11|language=en}}</ref>

Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director and Head of the World Bank's Energy & Extractives Global Practice said "The World Bank is seeing a surge of interest from our clients in solar power as a result of the dramatic cost decreases over the past few years. We hope that the Global Solar Atlas will help inform the crucial planning and investment decisions that will need to be taken over the next decade to shift to more sustainable forms of energy."

== Future targets ==
India, with the support of France, has invited nations to facilitate infrastructure for implementation of solar projects. The alliance has committed one trillion dollars as investment, and it is committed to making the costs of solar power more affordable for remote and inaccessible communities. The alliance will endorse India in achieving its goal of generating 100 GW of solar energy and 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. The countries shall support each other in research and development as well as other high level activities.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 107 'sunshine countries' may shape PM's vision|url = http://liveindia.in/107-sunshine-countries-may-shape-pms-vision|website = Live India|access-date = 2015-11-30|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071012/http://liveindia.in/107-sunshine-countries-may-shape-pms-vision|archive-date = 8 December 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

It is also seen as an alliance by the developing countries to form a united front and to undertake research and development for making solar power equipment within developing countries.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Paris climate meet: India-led global solar alliance to counter developed nations|url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/paris-climate-meet-indialed-global-solar-alliance-to-counter-developed-nations/article7916353.ece|website = The Hindu Business Line|access-date = 2015-12-01}}</ref>

==Progress==
On 30 June 2016, the alliance entered into an understanding with the [[World Bank]] for accelerating mobilization of finance for solar energy. The Bank will have a major role in mobilizing more than US$1 trillion in investments that will be needed by 2030, to meet ISA's goals for the massive deployment of affordable solar energy.<ref name="pib-30-6-16">{{cite web | url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=146680 | title=International Solar Alliance Cell and World Bank Signs Declaration for Promoting Solar Energy | publisher=Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India | date=30 June 2016 | access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref>

To date 74 countries have signed and 52 countries have ratified the Framework Agreement of the ISA. With ratifications by 15 countries, the ISA will become a treaty based inter-governmental international organisation and it will be recognized by UN legally to become fully functionable.

At the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) held in Abu Dhabi in January 2018, the government of India announced the establishment of a $350 million solar development fund to enable financing of solar projects.

==See also==
* [[Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership]], Bahadurgarh
* [[International Renewable Energy Alliance]]
* [[Solar power in India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
* [http://isolaralliance.org/ International Solar Alliance official website]
* [https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/conferences/past-conferences/paris-climate-change-conference-november-2015/paris-climate-change-conference-november-2015 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference]
*[https://globalsolaratlas.info/ Global Solar Atlas]

{{International power}}
{{Renewable energy by country}}
{{South-South}}
{{SPIN}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:International Solar Alliance}}

[[Category:Economic country classifications]]
[[Category:Solar energy organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2015]]
[[Category:International renewable energy organizations]]
[[Category:2015 in international relations]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of India]]

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International Solar Alliance