Mid-Term Evaluation Highlights Progress and Challenges for the IRBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector
An independent mid-term evaluation of the International Responsible Business Conduct (IRBC) Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector identifies progress since its launch in 2023, while also pointing to few key challenges for the coming years.
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Conducted by Huib Huyse and Hanne Van Cappellen of KU Leuven Research Institute for Work and Society, the evaluation assesses the Agreement’s role in promoting responsible business conduct across renewable energy supply chains.
The report finds that the Agreement stands out among multi-stakeholder initiatives due to its focus on a strategically important sector, the broad participation of actors across value chains, the combination of collaboration with procurement incentives, and the support of an independent Secretariat.
It concludes that the Agreement has contributed to improvements in companies’ due diligence practices, particularly in policy development, risk identification, and communication. Participation has grown significantly, from 16 to 45 signatory companies by March 2026, with strong representation in offshore wind.
The evaluation also notes that responsible business conduct criteria have been integrated into Dutch offshore wind tenders, supported by the framework provided by the Agreement.
At the same time, the evaluators conclude that while a range of collective initiatives have been launched and several have developed into structured workstreams, most remain at an early stage and have yet to translate into measurable impact on the ground.
The report concludes that the Agreement is entering a new phase, where greater focus is needed on implementation and outcomes. Key challenges include strengthening the link between due diligence and real-world impact, improving transparency, clarifying expectations around collective action, and managing capacity pressures linked to growing participation.
Overall, the evaluation describes the IRBC Agreement as a credible platform for collaboration and learning, while emphasising that future success will depend on translating improved due diligence into tangible outcomes for people and the environment.