During the SIDS4 Conference held in Antigua and Barbuda in a parallel interview section conducted by Mr. Gianni Chianetta, the Founder & Chair of Greening the Islands Foundation (GTI) the Director General (DG) of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Mr. Francesco La Camera highlighted the importance of partnerships and availability of financial resources where the reform of multilateral financial institutions is needed providing more grants, loans, strengthening the SIDS ecosystem for a more sustainable development.

IRENA through the SIDS Lighthouse Initiate (LHI) has been playing a pivotal role on fostering partnerships and helping SIDS achieving the ambitious targets set on the previous SIDS Conferences and pointed that the Islands states can lead the way towards a 100% sustainable future.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, like other SIDS, face water scarcity challenges which are exacerbated by natural disasters and climate change impacts. The video highlights how the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has sought to enhance water security, build resilience, and reduce energy consumption through the implementation of a solar powered reverse osmosis desalination pilot project in the outer island of Bequia. The desalination plant, which has the capacity to produce 34,560 gallons of potable water for approximately 1000 inhabitants has improved the quality of life and livelihoods of the community including the health, education, fishery, and tourism sectors by significantly reducing the cost and improving the availability and quality of the water. With appropriate financing, the long-term plan is to increase the size of the solar PV system and to replicate to the other Grenadine islands of Mayreau, Union Island and Canouan.

The Government of Seychelles has prioritized promoting youth participation for a just and sustainable energy transition. As part of the Government’s broader objective to reduce its fossil fuel consumption by 15% by 2030 and to build capacity among the younger generation, the School Solar Project is being implemented with an aim to install solar PV systems on all, 32 public schools located on the three main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. The video shows how the schools’ rooftop systems provides students with an on-site learning experience while contributing to the energy needs of the school. Recognizing the important role that youth play within their communities as advocates and agents of change for the energy transition and climate action, the project has been instrumental in the Government’s plan to raise the level of awareness and educate the public about the use of renewable energy and the impacts of climate change.

The Government of Samoa has recognised the importance of strengthening women’s involvement in the energy transition including raised the visibility of female role models working in the energy sector. Implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Sa’asa’ai Biogas Project forms part of the “Improving the Performance and Reliability of RE Power System in Samoa” (IMPRESS) Project which supports the national objective to achieve 100 % renewable energy target by 2025. The video showcases the 10 cubic meter biogas digester system installation, established on the island of Savai’i to provide biogas from the piggery, kitchen, and organic wastes at Sa’asa’ai Community. The project has significant potential to be replicated in other Pacific SIDS due to the multiple socio-economic benefits. Not only has it contributed to sustainable waste management in the community and improved the quality of agricultural produce through the generation of liquid fertilizer but has also generated business opportunities and empowered women in rural communities through the provision of affordable gas for cooking and lighting.

The short promo video showcases the human impacts of renewable energy deployment in Seychelles, Saint Vincent and Grenadines and Samoa in terms of jobs, gender equality and equity, entrepreneurship, improved public health, increased food and water security, sanitation, clean cooking and meeting other basic human needs whilst improving lives and livelihoods.

The SIDS Ministerial provided an update on SIDS commitments towards the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals including the identification of strategies to accelerate action related to climate finance and implementation of renewable energy solutions.

IRENA through the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) hosted a high-level event at COP27 to highlight the achievements of SIDS NDC implementation; to identify and prioritize the actions and gaps to meet their targets, and to highlight opportunities to increase their ambition on climate action.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) hold great influence on global climate action, but investment in energy transition remains a major constraint in unlocking its renewable energy potential. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) coordinates the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative to accelerate SIDS' energy transition and increase their climate resilience.