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International relationsInternational organisations2015

International Solar Alliance

Launched by India and France at COP21 in Paris.

Written by Pratidin; every fact checked by a separate review before publishing. How we work

Headquartered in Gurugram.

Andasol solar thermal power station, Spain.
Andasol solar thermal power station, Spain. kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Practise this in the app: flashcards, quiz and a timed answer
Prelims

Quick recall

Who launched the ISA?
India and France.
When?
At COP21, 2015.
Where is its headquarters?
Gurugram, India.
Who can join now?
All UN member states, since 2020.
What is OSOWOG?
One Sun One World One Grid, a global solar grid vision.
Which treaty-based body does it resemble?
It is a treaty-based international organisation.

Asked before in UPSC

Recurring theme: India's climate diplomacy and solar energy leadership

Mains
  1. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks

    'Clean energy is the order of the day.' Describe briefly India's changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.

    The ISA, launched by India and France at COP21 in 2015, is a key example of India's shift to leadership in climate fora.

  2. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marks

    Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

    Directly tests the ISA link to the One Sun One World One Grid idea behind the Green Grids Initiative.

Prelims
  1. 2016 · Prelims

    Consider the following statements: 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Tests the ISA's COP21 launch and that its membership is not universal.

The basics

Why it matters

The International Solar Alliance, launched by India and France at COP21 in 2015, promotes solar energy among member countries. It is headquartered in Gurugram, India.

2015
Year the ISA was launched
At COP21 in Paris, by India and France.

How it evolved

Key milestones.

ISA
  1. 2015Launched at COP21
  2. 2017Framework Agreement enters into force
  3. 2018First Assembly
  4. 2020Opened to all UN members
  5. 2021One Sun One World One Grid launched at COP26

You now know

  • Launched by India and France at COP21 in 2015.
  • Headquarters: Gurugram, India.
  • Membership opened to all UN member states in 2020.
  • Linked to the One Sun One World One Grid initiative.

Go deeper

In one line: The ISA is India's flagship climate diplomacy institution.

Why it matters for UPSC

It shows India's leadership in Solar energy.

The core idea

It pools demand and finance, and promotes One Sun One World One Grid.

Where to go next

In one line: The ISA's impact depends on mobilising finance for poorer members.

Work

Solar parks, training and risk mitigation. See Solar energy and One Sun One World One Grid.

Where to go next

Solar energy

India's solar expansion

In one line: India has become one of the largest solar markets.

Targets

Part of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.

Schemes

PM Surya Ghar for rooftop solar, and PLI for solar modules.

Where to go next

One Sun One World One Grid

A connected global solar grid

In one line: OSOWOG envisions interconnected grids sharing solar power across time zones.

Launch

The Green Grids Initiative-OSOWOG at COP26 (2021) with the UK.

Where to go next

Prelims-style quiz

  1. The ISA is headquartered in:

    1. Geneva
    2. Paris
    3. New Delhi
    4. Gurugram
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) Gurugram. Gurugram.

  2. Consider the following:
    1. The ISA was launched at COP21.
    2. Only tropical countries can join.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) 1 only. Membership was opened to all UN members in 2020.

  3. The ISA was launched by India and:

    1. France
    2. USA
    3. Germany
    4. Japan
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) France. France.

  4. OSOWOG stands for:

    1. None
    2. One Sun One World One Grid
    3. Open Solar One World Organisation
    4. One Solar One World Order Group
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) One Sun One World One Grid. One Sun One World One Grid.

Syllabus

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