CLEAN ENERGY FUTURES
We are all consumers of energy, and we all have the power to drive forward the clean energy transition.
The world is at a critical juncture. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must urgently transform our energy systems to be sustainable, modern, and equitable. Yet millions—especially the most vulnerable—remain unable to meet their essential energy needs. Two billion people live in energy poverty, and 650 million still lack access to reliable electricity. Meanwhile, volatile energy prices driven by volatile markets and global crises place unfair burdens on households everywhere. Consumers are left paying the price for a system they have little power to shape.
And yet, they are key to the solution. Demand-side action — changes in how we travel, cook, heat, and power our homes — could deliver up to 70% of the emissions reductions needed by 2050. But consumers need support, protection, and a voice.
We work to ensure consumers are protected, empowered, and engaged in a fast, fair, and accountable transition to clean energy – with people at the centre of each step. By 2030, we envision consumers benefitting from clean, decentralised and interconnected energy systems— supported by strong protections and inclusive, consumer-centred policies.
The energy system of the future must work for everyone — and consumers must be at its heart.
Empowering consumers in the clean energy transition
The transition to clean energy won’t succeed without consumers. But what will it take to unlock their potential?
At Consumers International, we champion bold policies, innovative business models, and practical solutions that enable consumers to actively participate in, and benefit from, future clean energy systems.
We develop policy recommendations for policy-makers, regulators and industry to ensure consumers everywhere can engage in and benefit from the transition. Our white paper 'Consumer protection and empowerment for a clean energy future' identifies the key barriers consumers face in adopting clean energy practices, and the actions needed to build trust, confidence and meaningful engagement. Backed by global research and on-the-ground initiatives, our recommendations guide policymakers, regulators, and industry to put consumers at the centre of the transition.
Ambitious, cross-cutting collaboration is needed to:
- Align consumer and energy policy at international and national levels
- Promote market models that protect and empower consumers by design
- Scale consumer-side data and intelligence to inform action.
Consumers Driving Clean Energy Impact
Consumers are essential to a fair and sustainable energy future, yet their organised voices remain underfunded and underrepresented. Our new report, 'The Impact Initiative: Amplifying Consumer Voices in the Clean Energy Transition', highlights examples from over 25 countries where consumer groups are driving real change—from behaviour campaigns in India to grassroots advocacy in Brazil and petitions in Germany. The report shows that trust, clear calls to action, and community engagement are key to effective consumer mobilisation.
80% of consumers support renewable energy, but individual choices alone can’t transform complex energy systems. Barriers like funding gaps, centralised infrastructure, and misinformation make collective action and policy reform critical. Trusted local consumer organisations play a vital role in overcoming these challenges through campaigns, community projects and advocacy.
As digital tools and decentralised energy models expand, investing in consumer-led initiatives is key to unlocking the full potential of the clean energy transition.
Helping consumers adopt clean energy solutions
Increasingly affordable technologies like solar panels, batteries, and efficient electrical devices are offering consumers cleaner, cheaper alternatives – but many consumers still face barriers to access. One-stop-shops are helping to change that.
These integrated hubs provide simple, trusted, and locally relevant support to guide consumers through every stage of the clean energy transition—from understanding their options to connecting with suppliers and accessing financial support.
What are we doing?
- Our global study identified 113 one-stop-shop solutions worldwide and delivered recommendations for policy-makers to expand their reach and impact.
- We supported our Members in Thailand, Colombia and Chile to launch localised one-stop-shop platforms for clean energy adoption, while also helping consumer organisations worldwide develop similar hubs by sharing best practices and highlighting success stories from Members such as CADEF (Nigeria) and Which? (UK).
- To build momentum, we led a global media campaign calling on policy-makers and energy leaders to support consumers in creating a fair, inclusive energy future.
Blueprint for Inclusive Energy Services
Vulnerable energy consumers often face systemic barriers—inefficient housing, limited choices, and higher costs—yet their voices are rarely heard in shaping solutions. Our upcoming Blueprint for Inclusive Energy Services aims to change that. With a pilot in Italy, this project brings together consumer advocates, energy providers, and local organisations to identify the top 10 actions energy retailers can take to better serve all consumers, but especially those most at risk of energy poverty.
Supported by Enel X and a broad coalition of local stakeholders, the Blueprint will offer practical, evidence-based guidance rooted in lived consumer experience. Launching in November 2025, the report will also include a consumer insights briefing and a global compendium of innovative service models. This work will be showcased at COP30, laying the groundwork to expand into new regions and help build a fairer, more inclusive energy future.
Raising the Consumer Voice in Energy Policy
Too often, consumers are excluded from the decision-making that shapes their energy services. For nearly sixty years, Consumers International has championed affordable, reliable, safe, and sustainable energy by raising the consumer voice in key policy spaces and driving advocacy on emerging and long-standing energy issues.
- Consumers International is a member of the International Energy Agency's Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions, where we advocate for fairness to be embedded in clean energy policies and contribute to developing actionable recommendations for energy and climate leaders worldwide. We contribute grassroots, consumer-led examples to guide policy-makers.
- Participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), facilitating collaboration between governments, businesses, and consumers to advance demand-side action for sustainable energy. Read about our impact at COP 28 and COP 29.
- Partner with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to update and expand consumer protection policies and ensure consumer rights are upheld within the energy transition framework. Achieved official recognition of consumers’ vital role in clean energy adoption through advocacy with the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy in 2024, encouraging Member States to empower consumers and strengthen equitable access.
- Successfully lobbied for the inclusion of clean energy as a core consumer right in the 2015 revision of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection.
- Drafted and proposed the first international standard on energy services (ISO 50007) at the International Organization for Standardization, setting global benchmarks for consumer-centric, transparent, and fair energy provision.
- At the Sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, we collaborated with UN Member States to secure a place for 'Consumer Protection and the Energy Transition’ on the 2023 agenda.
- Against the backdrop of a global energy crisis, the theme 'Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions' was chosen for World Consumer Rights Day 2023, mobilising action in over 100 countries. The campaign brought together consumer organisations, government bodies, businesses and energy leaders to help deliver a just transition for consumers. We hosted our Clean Energy Conference, where over 500 leaders joined a critical dialogue on meeting the twin challenge of supporting consumers while aiding a rapid transition.
How consumer organisations are delivering change
Our Members, consumer organisations in over 100 countries around the world, are leading innovative action to protect, educate and empower consumers.
Consumentenbond (Netherlands) run a renewable energy collective of over 100,000 consumers.
Consumer Council Zimbabwe has implemented a joint consumer education programme with the energy regulator ZERA.
YACP(Yemen) is campaigning for the safe use of solar energy systems as a solution to poor energy access during times of conflict.
TheNetwork for Consumer Protection in Pakistan carried out a comprehensive review of consumer rights legislation and procedures, making a series of recommendations to policy-makers.
Colectivo Ecologista Jalisco (Mexico) led cross-community dialogues on the impact of thermoelectric power generation on vulnerable populations.
Latest News
Consumers International joins global commission on people-centred energy
Consumers International's Director General will join the International Energy Agency Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions. Look out for recommendations by the Commission to be released in October 2024.
Blog
In this blog, Dan Hamza-Goodacre, Integrate to Zero and Oliver Bealby-Wright, Consumers International discuss the concept of 'revenue stacking' when applied to consumer renewable energy systems, and explore the interventions needed to make these solutions accessible for consumers everywhere.
Our reaction to COP28
During COP28, we released a joint letter with 25 of our Members calling for action to ensure consumers get a fair deal in the transition. Read our team's response to the outcome of COP28.
Global moments for energy action
In the coming months we will bring the voice of consumer organisations around the world to:
To connect or collaborate, contact impact@consint.org.
Contact us
We are building a global, multi-stakeholder coalition to put consumer-powered energy transitions into action.
Leaders across government, business, civil society and academia can find out more about our energy work by contacting impact@constint.org.