Eni and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) today signed a three-year partnership agreement to collaborate in the promotion of renewable energies and to accelerate the energy transition, particularly in fossil fuel exporting countries. The agreement was signed by Eni's Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, and by the General Manager of IRENA, Francesco La Camera, during the period in which Milan hosts the preparatory ministerial meeting “Pre-COP 26”.
Under the terms of the agreement, Eni and IRENA will collaborate to facilitate dialogue and sharing of experiences on accelerating the energy transition and the development of renewable energy in fossil fuel exporting countries, as well as to identify obstacles to private sector investment in renewable energy in the countries where Eni operates and promote solutions in coordination with governments.
In particular, Eni and IRENA will promote the integration of the African continent into the biofuel value chain, through institutional capacity building, agribusiness and industrial development initiatives aimed at the production of advanced biofuels, favoring the decarbonisation of the transport sector and contributing to increased development opportunities.
The partnership builds on Eni's commitment to contribute to the decarbonisation of the energy mix of African countries, leveraging renewable energy sources to reduce the use of fossil fuels in energy production. Furthermore, the partnership represents an opportunity for Eni to strengthen the dialogue with IRENA, share its skills and
the portfolio of technological solutions, and strengthen the international positioning as a leader in the energy transition and actively participate in the institutional debate on the energy policies that the agency promotes.
Eni's Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, stated: "The agreement with IRENA is a step forward in Eni's commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, leveraging renewables and other technological and industrial solutions for successfully address the energy transition. We designed Eni's evolution over the next few years by combining the objectives of continuous development in a rapidly evolving energy market with a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of our portfolio, committing ourselves to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The today's alliance can give a further acceleration to this process, just as we will be able to make our contribution in terms of know-how and commitment. "
The Director General of IRENA, Francesco La Camera, declared: “We have reached a crucial moment in the energy transition, which requires the commitment and active participation of all energy actors. It is in the interests of the big oil companies and fossil fuel exporting nations to embrace the transition and aim to play a leadership position in it. The partnership between Eni and IRENA will strengthen our common commitments to advance the agenda for a low-carbon future in the decade of action "
Eni is committed to achieving complete carbon neutrality by 2050; total decarbonisation of products and operations will be achieved through biorefining, circular economy, efficiency and digitalisation, increased capacity from renewables, blue and green hydrogen, carbon capture, use and storage projects and REDD + initiatives.