A coalition of 121 countries launched, during the second working day of Cop 21, what has been named the International Solar Alliance. The aim: to bring together all nations that present high potential in terms of photovoltaic energy production. Many of the participating states, in fact, record more than 300 days a year of intense solar irradiation. Yet this "treasure" is exploited only to a minimal extent.

Leading the initiative was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who succeeded in bringing on board almost all the nations located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. "If we want to make operational the greenhouse gas emission reduction pledges put forward by governments around the world on the eve of the conference," explained French President François Hollande during the presentation of the initiative, "we will need to invest, by 2030, approximately 1.2 trillion dollars. Part of this sum will have to be used for the development of solar energy: for many countries, it is indeed the most abundant of the renewable sources. Nevertheless, the technologies and financing needed to harness it fully are not yet sufficient." The French head of state also announced the allocation of two billion euros to promote the development of clean energy in Africa.

In practical terms, the Alliance aims to adopt cooperation programmes between the more industrialised nations and the poorer ones. In this sense, it is an initiative that fits squarely within what has been announced as one of the main objectives of Cop 21: promoting the transfer of technologies between all countries in the world, in order to ensure homogeneous and widespread development of renewable sources. It is no coincidence that the signatory governments underlined their intention to "undertake concerted and innovative efforts in order to reduce the cost of this energy source, making it economically competitive."

In a communiqué, the 121 states added: "The reason we stand alongside India in this initiative is linked to the recognition that sustainable development, universal access to energy and energy security are crucial elements in guaranteeing a future for our planet." "Today," Hollande emphasised, "the nations with the highest potential produce only a small share of solar energy at the global level. This is a paradox we can no longer accept."

In operational terms, India announced that it will host the Alliance's general secretariat for the next five years (until 2021). And it pledged to lead by example, setting itself a target of 100 gigawatts of solar capacity to be reached by 2022 (the Asian country currently stands at 4 gigawatts).