Blue Planet Alliance keen to help Palau and its 100 % renewable energy goals
The EcoSprint team in Palau.
A version of this story was originally published in the Island Times Palau
by Leilani Reklai April 29, 2022
The Blue Planet Alliance is keen to help the country adopt a 100 percent renewable energy law.
Palau committed to achieving 100% renewable energy by year 2032 at the 7th Our Ocean Conference held in Palau this past April.
In his State of the Republic Address, President Surangel Whipps Jr. asked for Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK)’s support with transitioning to 100% renewables.
“This administration has been actively seeking strong partners that can take our energy grid to 100% renewable and with this vision we look forward to finalizing renewable energy plans with prospective partners by the end of the year.” Whipps stated in the SORA.
Henk Rogers, Founder and Chairman of Blue Planet Alliance in an interview, said the Alliance is talking to lawmakers about how Palau can start to legislatively approach clean energy by providing sample legislation that Hawaii passed.
The Alliance’s sister organization, the Hawaii-based Blue Planet Foundation, is responsible for leading the campaign for the Hawaii energy law.
He said Palau has an abundance of sources of renewable energy.
Palau was the site of an EcoSprint. co-hosted by Blue Planet Alliance and Planet Home that convened public sector private sector and civil society leaders from Palau to help pave the way for the country to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045.
EcoSprints — co-designed by Blue Planet Alliance and Planet Home — gather key stakeholders from an island’s public and private sectors, along with critical and informed voices from civil society, academia, and youth. These essential thought leaders are then guided in exercises by expert “Solutionists,” designed to help them build and achieve a “mandate-first approach” to reaching 100% renewable energy, tailored specifically to their island.
In a press statement, the Alliance said it created Blue Planet Global Ambassador Program (BPGA) starting in Palau to honor and empower young people from the ages of 16 to 30.
“Through the Global Ambassador Program, we are building a network of youth advocates dedicated to engaging in global activism to make their communities and the world a better place, specifically those willing to join us in our mission to help every island nation and country across the globe achieve a mandate of 100% renewable energy by 2045,” the release said.
The Global Ambassadors highlight the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 17.
Global Ambassadors will participate in periodic meetings and updates with Blue Planet Alliance leaders.
Rogers said Palau is optimistic about its shift to renewable energy.
A version of this story was originally published in the Island Times Palau