Renewable energy is fundamental to tackling climate change, but as its use expands across borders, so does the need for clear and consistent regulation. International energy law helps ensure this shift is effective, fair and safe. Read on to discover why international energy law plays a vital role in global energy governance, focusing on environmental protection, regional cooperation and shared targets.
Written by Grant Longstaff. Published 8 April 2026.
Regulating environmental and social impacts
Renewable energy doesn’t mean there isn’t an impact when implementing it. For example, wind and solar farms can have an impact on ecosystems and wildlife.
International law, the rules and agreements that govern how countries interact with each other, helps ensure renewable energy development remains sustainable and responsible. Agreements, such as the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) treaty, which is committed to the “conservation of biological diversity”, mean states need to consider the environmental impact when planning infrastructure projects, including renewable energy sites.
For example, a wind farm can disrupt bird migration patterns and a hydroelectric dam could alter the ecosystem of a river. Without regulatory frameworks, such impacts could undermine the sustainability goals renewable energy seeks to achieve.
International legal frameworks encourage:
- Environmental impact assessments before renewable energy project approval.
- Protection of vulnerable ecosystems and species.
- Respect for indigenous rights and local communities.
- Accountability and transparency in renewable energy project development.
International law ensures that the renewable energy transition is not only clean, but also ethically and socially responsible.
Encouraging international investment in renewable energy
Renewable energy investments have increased significantly in the last decade. The International Renewable Energy Agency reported “renewables accounted for 49% of global installed power capacity” at the end of 2025. However, most of this investment has gone to developed countries.
Rebeca Grynspan, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General, said: “A significant increase in investment in sustainable energy systems in developing countries is crucial for the world to reach climate goals by 2030.”
Developing countries simply need more investment to fully utilise the technology. The UNCTAD, an intergovernmental organisation promoting the interests of developing countries, has called for reforms to International Investment Agreements (treaties between countries relating to cross-border investments), “to lower the risk of cases on sustainable energy policymaking”.
Supporting regional energy cooperation
Electricity grids, supply chains and energy markets often operate across multiple countries. This makes cooperation between countries essential. International law facilitates cooperation by providing legal structures for cross-border collaboration.
In Europe, the integration of energy markets is supported by legal frameworks which enable the sharing of renewable energy across borders. This allows countries with abundant wind or solar resources to export surplus energy, which both improves efficiency and reduces costs. International legal agreements underpin these efforts by setting out rules for cooperation, dispute resolution and governance.
Creating international standards and guidelines
One of the biggest barriers to globally expanding renewable energy is a lack of consistent standards. Countries can often have different legal requirements and regulations. These could include anything from environmental laws to health and safety regulations. Ultimately, these opposing laws create barriers and can affect the trade and promotion of renewable energy.
International law helps address this by promoting the development of common standards, such as:
- Technical specifications for renewable energy technologies.
- Health and safety guidelines.
- Environmental guidelines for project development.
- Certification processes for equipment and materials.
This can help reduce costs, improve safety and simplify cross-border collaboration and trade.
Setting global energy targets
International law plays a key role in setting global renewable energy targets by creating legally recognised frameworks that encourage countries to reduce emissions and increase clean energy use. Global agreements, like the Paris Agreement, establish shared targets and can drive national policy change and encourage accountability. The pressure of international commitments can be very effective in driving change.
Increasing our use of renewable energy is one of the most important challenges we face right now. It also demonstrates the increasing legal complexity of energy law. But international law can help nations around the world move towards a more sustainable future for everyone. If you can navigate this complicated legal area, you can help shape the necessary change.
If you’re looking to learn more about the energy sector, our LLM in International Energy Law is the perfect way to enhance your legal knowledge.
