Update of International Renewable Energy Classification

Today's energy system is more complex than ever. To replace fossil fuels as the main source of energy in many sectors, countries are looking for more renewable energy solutions. This is good news for building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. But as this shift progresses, some problems arise in the process of tracing energy sources. One problem is that the current rules published in the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics (IRES) for tracking global energy do not make a clear distinction between renewables and non-renewables. In addition, there is a lack of a variety of renewable energy technologies and products that are becoming more and more widely used in IRES.

The Standard of International Energy Classification (SIEC) was published about 15 years ago. In order to avoid the use of "outdated" standards to guide the energy transition, it is necessary to update the classification of renewable energy sources with greater detail. A clear approach to energy classification is important not only for tracking and measuring efforts, but also for understanding the energy transition process. More importantly, as IRES suggests, a common energy classification framework could provide a uniform standard for the international community, which would facilitate international cooperation.

From the perspective of energy transition, the classification of energy should start from the question of "whether it is renewable or not". Understanding the difference between "renewable" and "non-renewable" is crucial for those working in energy statistics and analysis to help them determine whether a country's energy system is becoming more sustainable as it develops, or to better assess the extent of energy's impact on the climate. Climate change mitigation cannot rely solely on renewable energy, but it is a key element in adapting to and mitigating climate change. Since the establishment of the international carbon accounting framework of the Paris Agreement, many countries have successfully integrated their domestic energy data and information into the internationally accepted measurement of atmospheric carbon emissions. By making a clear distinction between renewables and non-renewables, governments and analysts can more easily understand the carbon emissions of different energy industries and provide more tailored recommendations to meet the needs of countries to accelerate their energy transition.

To this end, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) offers a new classification of renewables that can serve as a "map" to guide efforts to carry out the energy transition. Although the molecular composition of energy sources is the same, and the above classification does not immediately make one understand the implications, it distinguishes between renewable and non-renewable energy sources. In addition, the harmonization of data from different countries and regions can clarify the complex and changing information of the energy sector and improve the effectiveness of international energy exchanges.

For more details, see this report: Energy taxonomy: Classifications for the energy transition (irena.org)