Why we need green alternatives to fossil fuel-fired generators

Today, the IKEA Foundation is proud to announce a new partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support the growth of the renewable energy market.

Around the world, an estimated 1 billion people have no access to basic energy services, and another billion people have unreliable electricity services. IFC is working to create and support markets for alternative lighting and energy sources.

Our announcement comes as a new study by IFC reveals the environmental, health and financial costs of fossil fuel-fired backup generators and calls for the rapid adoption of renewable alternatives.

The report, ‘The Dirty Footprint of the Broken Grid’, estimates that there are 20-30 million sites using these generators globally. They consume 40–70 billion litres of fossil fuel every year at a cost of nearly $50 billion, enabled by an additional $1.1–2.1 billion in government subsidies. They also emit dangerous chemicals into homes and businesses causing respiratory illnesses and, in some cases, cancer.

Renewable energy solutions

Jeffrey Prins, Head of the Renewable Energy Portfolio for the IKEA Foundation, said: “Those living in poverty are often solving their energy needs, but at a high price. Their energy options are often expensive, noisy and polluting, such as the diesel gen-set.

“IFC is enabling a change that ensures that more and more families in the world’s poorest communities can power their homes and livelihoods with renewable energy in an affordable way. That is why we are supporting IFC with a €4.3 million grant for enabling a new renewables environment.” 

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, carried out the research in partnership with the Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University and with support from the IKEA Foundation. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea are also supporting the programme.

More information: International Finance Corporation

Partner

International Finance Corporation
https://www.ifc.org

Social

Stay up-to-date and follow us for news and info about exciting grants

  • 89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. 

But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 

Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making.

The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 

The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 

🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. 

#IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
  • The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. 

Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍

By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth.

🔗 Visit our link in bio to learn more. 

*Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA.

#IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
  • We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics.

Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to:

✅ Support 500+ waste enterprises.
✅ Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.
✅ Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026.

By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet.

Head to our link in bio to read more.

#IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. 

But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 

Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making.

The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 

The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 

🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. 

#IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. 

But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 

Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making.

The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 

The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 

🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. 

#IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making. The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
1/3
The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. 

Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍

By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth.

🔗 Visit our link in bio to learn more. 

*Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA.

#IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍 By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth. 🔗 Visit our link in bio to learn more. *Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA. #IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/3
We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics.

Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to:

✅ Support 500+ waste enterprises.
✅ Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.
✅ Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026.

By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet.

Head to our link in bio to read more.

#IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics. Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to: ✅ Support 500+ waste enterprises. ✅ Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic. ✅ Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026. By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet. Head to our link in bio to read more. #IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/3