Powering Peace is a joint research initiative of the Stimson Center and Energy Peace Partners, which aims to explore cleaner and more efficient energy options for multinational field operations in fragile states. The Stimson Center, a Washington, D.C.-based research and policy center, has led studies and research on peace operations since its founding more than 30 years ago, and works to protect people, preserve the planet, and promote security and prosperity. Energy Peace Partners is a U.S.-based organization that works to leverage climate and finance solutions to support peace in places affected by violent conflict.

The Powering Peace initiative envisions a broad policy shift within the United Nations (UN) system and among its member states to adopt renewable energy in field operations for both short-term and long-term benefits.

As part of a shorter-term effort, the initiative aims to help the UN embrace more efficient and cost-saving technologies, and shift to greater use of renewable energy in support of missions. That is more urgent now within the context of the UN Secretariat’s 10-year Climate Action Plan to source 80 percent of electricity from renewable energy by 2030. The initiative also seeks to identify impacts of and improvements in current practice, such as reducing the expense or insecurity associated with long fuel convoys or corruption. As part of a longer-term effort, the initiative aims to help the UN better integrate climate solutions in crisis-affected areas as part of the way it does business, an effort that can support peacebuilding and fulfill the organization’s ambition to achieve universal global access to energy under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Powering Peace examines the extent to which the footprints of international humanitarian and peace operations can be leveraged to introduce and extend the benefits of renewable energy to communities in fragile states. The project includes the use of reports and case studies as a research tool to identify innovative practices, incentives, and disincentives facing field missions, as well as opportunities for greater efficiency and peacebuilding. Our first report, Renewable Energy and UN Peacekeeping: Untapped Potential in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was published in September 2019. Our second report, Shifting Power: Transitioning to Renewable Energy in United Nations Peace Operations, was published in January 2021. Our third report, From Renewable Energy to Peacebuilding in Mali: MINUSMA’s Opportunity to Bridge the Gap, was published in June 2021. Powering Peace is now undertaking a series of case studies of energy use by UN missions in conflict-affected countries.

Powering Peace is funded through the generous support of the Schmidt Family Foundation/11th Hour Project and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The project has also benefited from an anonymous donor, and the expert assistance of the Loomis Council at the Stimson Center. Powering Peace is led by David Mozersky and Sherwin Das of Energy Peace Partners, and Andrew Hyde, Alex Hopkins, and Victoria Holt of the Stimson Center.