Coop Colloquium 14: Toward a Shared Zero-Carbon Energy Future: A Global Analysis of Rural Energy Cooperatives

Background
The 14th edition of the Coop Colloquium, organized by the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR), in collaboration with RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute), will explore the theme “Toward a Shared Zero-Carbon Energy Future: A Global Analysis of Rural Energy Cooperatives.” Convened as part of ICA-AP’s ongoing efforts under the ICA–EU Partnership Project “People-Centred Businesses for Sustainable, Democratic, and Inclusive Development,” the colloquium contributes to strengthening the role of cooperatives through research, evidence-building, and educational engagement around global development challenges.
This session will highlight RMI’s 2024 global study, authored by Ms. Yihan Hao, Dr. Jun Li, and Dr. Tim Li, which analyses rural energy cooperatives as inclusive, community-led models for sustainable energy transitions. The colloquium will focus on how cooperatives—through shared ownership, democratic governance, and local innovation—can play a critical role in tackling energy poverty and climate challenges, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
As the world celebrates the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, this colloquium aligns with the global call to recognize and elevate the cooperative model as a driver of social equity, sustainability, and resilience. In this spirit, the session will emphasize how rural energy cooperatives contribute meaningfully to climate goals while empowering communities at the grassroots.
About RMI:
RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute) is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions aligned with a 1.5°C future. RMI works with governments, businesses, and communities in critical geographies to scale clean energy access, including through equitable and inclusive energy models. Headquartered in the U.S., RMI also has offices in China, Nigeria, and India.
Objectives:
·       To showcase how energy cooperatives can ensure equity, resilience, and decentralization
·       To explore enabling policy, financing, and institutional mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific context
·       To promote academic-practitioner dialogue on energy justice through cooperative solutions
Why Rural Energy Cooperatives Matter:
Rural energy cooperatives are gaining prominence worldwide as scalable, people-centered solutions for delivering affordable, clean energy in rural communities. Built on the cooperative principles of democratic member control and equitable benefit sharing, these models are bridging gaps in infrastructure and governance by engaging local communities in energy generation, distribution, and management.
The RMI report draws lessons from global experiences across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and the Global South, offering relevant insights for the Asia-Pacific cooperative movement.
About the Report:
Titled “Toward a Shared Zero-Carbon Energy Future,” the report provides a global analysis of how rural energy cooperatives are contributing to climate goals, energy access, and community development. It details:
·       Institutional models, governance structures, and value chains
·       Financial strategies and revenue streams
·       Policy frameworks enabling cooperative-led transitions
·       Challenges in operationalization and digital adaptation
·       Opportunities for future replication in emerging economies
Registration
We invite participants to join this engaging discussion and explore pathways to tackle the housing crisis through cooperative solutions. Registered participants will receive the webinar details one day before the event.

About the Panellist
Ms. Yihan Hao
Ms. Yihan Hao is the Principal at RMI’s China Program, where she leads strategic initiatives on energy sector methane mitigation, rural energy transition, climate-smart agriculture, and carbon dioxide removal. Since joining RMI in 2016, she has overseen the design and implementation of innovative solutions in areas including coal mine methane recovery, biomethane trading, rural energy cooperatives, fertilizer emission reduction, and corporate carbon dioxide removal (CDR) procurement. With a strong foundation in both international and domestic contexts, Ms. Hao has also contributed to advancing heat pump deployment, corporate renewable energy procurement, supply chain energy efficiency financing, and China–ASEAN low-carbon collaboration. She holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College.