Global South
Supporting and empowering climate-resilient, thriving Global South communities through radical implementation
216M
can avoid human relocation due to extreme weather by 2050
759M
can gain access to electricity
38M
can be employed in energy jobs by 2030
We Must
Strengthen climate and economic resilience
Deliver clean energy solutions where they are most needed
Empower vulnerable communities to have an ownership stake in their future
RMI Will
Ensure communities have access to affordable, reliable, and clean power—while enhancing resilience and addressing energy poverty.
Bring together governments and utilities to plan and scale clean energy solutions to augment existing grids and increase access.
Unlock and mobilize the critical finance needed to reduce energy poverty and dependence on fossil fuels.
Facilitate communities of practice to incubate and connect climate leaders driving local energy transitions.
RMI is accelerating distributed energy resources as a conduit for clean, affordable, and equitable power.
Dr. James Fletcher
Managing Director of Soloricon
We can put all of our countries on a path to sustainable development by making the investments in our infrastructure, in our social services, in our environment.
Is “Natural” Gas a Solution?
RMI believes that each nation, particularly in the Global South, has a sovereign right to choose its own path to economic development, and any promotion of renewable energy should be driven by national decision makers. As such, we are actively carrying out deep analysis and research and working with leaders on the ground to understand the political economy through regulatory support and investment preparation. With this profound empirical engagement, it is increasingly clear that current efforts to develop new infrastructure for “natural” gas should be reconsidered. Distributed energy resources such as solar, wind, efficiency, and battery storage, are cheaper, more inclusive, and resilient in spurring local economic growth. More in-depth country-specific energy planning is required to determine what, if any, role natural gas should play in the Global South.
What We Do
RMI’s Global South Program works across three core geographies - Africa, Southeast Asia, and island nations - to address barriers to the energy transition and achieve radical implementation at scale. RMI tackles these challenges using upstream, midstream, downstream, and cross-cutting interventions.
In the upstream, we demonstrate inclusive energy planning and policy processes that create the enabling environment for investment. In the mid-stream, we test and pilot projects to address a wide range of energy needs. Downstream, we provide climate finance access support to countries that have not received their fair share of funding. Cross-cutting all of this is our unique approach to capacity building and workforce development.
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Africa Energy Program
Stimulating thriving economies and communities by expanding reliable energy access and accelerating clean energy adoption.
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Islands Energy Program
Partnering with island nations to transition to resilient, affordable, distributed clean energy sources that benefit all.
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Southeast Asia
Prioritizing energy independence, fossil fuel transitions, inclusive economic development, and clean urban environments for a secure energy future.
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Energy Transition Academy
Empowering energy professionals to be leaders in clean energy locally and climate action globally.
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Climate Finance Access Network
Unlocking climate finance by building lasting capacity in developing countries.
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Research & Analysis
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Report
Plugging In: Advancing EV Infrastructure in India
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Advancing Clean Metals
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Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)
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Report
Gateway to Green
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Solar Under Storm III
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From Promise to Purchase: Unlocking India’s Green Hydrogen Demand
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Report
Understanding Residual Value Uncertainty in India’s Evolving EV Market
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Report
Transforming Indonesia’s Transportation
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The Opportunity for Emergent Climate Tech in Africa
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Report
CFAN Impact Report 2025
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Report
Empowering India
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News
Innovative Interconnected Minigrid Partnerships Deliver Reliable Electricity, Boosting Economic Growth for Underserved Nigerians
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Report
Partnerships for Power: Unlocking Scale for Interconnected Minigrids in Nigeria
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Report
Bringing Super Efficient Air Conditioners to the Market
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Article
Civil Society Collaboration Is Key to Addressing the Widening Methane Mitigation Capacity Gap
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Report
Reimagining the Electricity Sector in Island Nations with Virtual Power Plants
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Article
The Fast Track to Clean Energy: Building Women’s Leadership Capacity to Close the Gender Gap
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Article
From Connection to Career: The Power of Strong Networks
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Article
How Waste Clinics Can Advance Waste Management in Indian Cities
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Article
Zero-Emission Trucks in India: A Game Changer for Clean Mobility
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News
Robinyan Community Celebrates Landmark Interconnected Minigrid, Powering over 5,000 Peri-Urban Residents
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Report
Outlook on Zero-Emission Truck Financing
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Report
Build Right the First Time
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Report
How to Finance India’s First 10,000 Zero-Emission Trucks
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Report
Unlocking Capital for Zero Emission Trucks
