The Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) was founded in 2008 on the initiative of the late Robson Mello who believed firmly that renewable energy and sustainable development could bring health and prosperity to the world’s most impoverished regions. IREO was established “To accelerate the development and dissemination of affordable and cleaner energy efficiency and energy conservation technologies, as well as the transfer of such technologies, in particular to developing countries, on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, bearing in mind that access to energy facilitates the eradication of poverty,”¹ and “Promote and support greater efforts to develop renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal energy. 

In advance of the 2015 Paris UN Conference of Climate Change and in accordance with the proposed Sustainable Development Goals, IREO, under new leadership, has a new strategic direction aimed at increasing access to energy in the world’s most remote areas.  IREO, as one of the few intergovernmental organizations focused singularly on renewable energy efforts in developing societies, strives to aid member countries become global leaders in the fight against energy poverty.  

IREO aims to accomplish this through Research, Advice, Policy, and Awareness

1. Disseminating research on renewables-based microgrid technologies and sustainable development
2.  Advising and consulting to member counties on cost-feasible development models for the adoption of resilient, renewables-based power infrastructure
3. Working with member countries to craft attainable, comprehensive policy to eradicate poverty and slow climate change.
4. Create a global movement of governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and private citizens aimed at creating awareness across the globe about climate change and energy poverty.