CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA – Saint Lucian climate and energy advocate Dr. James Fletcher has been named one of the inaugural Renewable Energy Champions by REN21—the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century. The announcement was made during the 2025 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF), spotlighting Fletcher as a global leader in clean energy transformation.
The Renewable Energy Champions Initiative, launched by REN21, is a groundbreaking programme aimed at fast-tracking global renewable energy transitions. It engages former ministers who have led innovative energy reform to mentor governments, inspire political will, and foster peer-to-peer learning. Dr. Fletcher, Saint Lucia’s former Minister for Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology, was selected alongside REN21 President Ramón Méndez Galain of Uruguay as the first two global champions of the initiative.
Currently serving as CARICOM Climate Envoy and Council Member of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Dr. Fletcher has long been recognized for his advocacy on climate justice and renewable energy. He played a pivotal role in securing the 1.5°C goal in the historic Paris Agreement and has led Saint Lucia’s strategic push toward clean energy and sustainable development.
“It is a profound honour to be named a Renewable Energy Champion by REN21,” Dr. Fletcher stated. “This initiative arrives at a critical moment when Small Island Developing States like ours must not only accelerate their renewable energy transitions but also shape global narratives around climate resilience, equity, and justice.”
A leader both regionally and internationally, Dr. Fletcher is also the founder of SOLORICON Ltd, a Saint Lucian consultancy focused on climate change, renewable energy, and environmental governance. He leads the Caribbean Climate Justice Project and Youth IRIE (Innovators for Renewable and Inclusive Energy), initiatives empowering youth and grassroots movements to champion sustainable energy across the region.
REN21 highlighted Dr. Fletcher’s exceptional track record in policy leadership, strategic partnerships, and international climate diplomacy. The Champions Initiative, supported by Partners for Inclusive Energy (PIE) and the Growald Climate Fund, aims to harness such experience to guide national leaders and amplify the global shift toward clean, inclusive, and resilient energy systems.
