Clean energy comes from renewable sources – i.e. those that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal – as well as gains from improving efficiency of energy use. Skoll’s approach to clean energy is two-fold – increasing access to clean energy solutions; and influencing others to adopt and fund clean energy over fossil fuels.

Desired Equilibrium

Clean energy will be both reliable and affordable for all people, allowing them to improve their livelihoods, health, and education levels. Use of “dirty” energy will be reduced to zero or near-zero levels, which in turn will decrease greenhouse gas emissions and assuage climate change trends. Energy will come from sustainable sources that will not contribute to environmental degradation.

Ways Skoll social entrepreneurs are addressing the issue:

• Influencing corporate actors to responsibly manage energy use in their supply chains (B Lab, Ceres, Health Care Without Harm)
• Empowering local communities to adopt clean energy solutions (Barefoot College, BioRegional Development Group, Proximity Designs, World Health Partners)
• Providing a platform of tools and research to educate adopters of clean energy (ACORE, BioRegional Development Group, Ceres)