An organization alone cannot create global, societal change.
To make positive impacts on the global sustainable-development agenda, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular, the International Copper Association forms strategic, global, public-private partnerships.
These partnerships allow ICA’s geographic presence and sphere of influence to expand to underserved, developing geographies.
A primary focus of this effort is on SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), referred to as the golden thread linking together all 17 SDGs.
ICA brings more than 20 years of experience and knowledge to partnerships, helping to ensure the goals of SDG7 are achieved.
ICA is proud to be partnered or affiliated with more than 500 organizations worldwide, including:
- Government and regulatory agencies in Australia, Canada, China, European Union and the United States of America.
- Intergovernmental organizations: Common Fund for Commodities, Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, Sustainable Energy for All, International Energy Agency, United Nations (UN) Development Program, UN Environment, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Bank.
- Industry associations: International Cablemakers Federation, International Copper Study Group (ICSG), International Wrought Copper Council (IWCC) and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).
- Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs): Alliance to Save Energy, Carbon Trust, International Institute for Energy Conservation, Clean Energy Solutions Center, and the UN Foundation


An international public-private partnership, GEAR brings together world leaders in energy efficiency to increase the efficiency of power grids, accelerating economic and social development in Africa. Founding partners include Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR).

One of ICA’s most prolific partnerships is the result of a close relationship with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Working closely with UNEP, as well as other corporate sponsors and NGOs, ICA has the led work on United for Efficiency (U4E), a global effort supporting developing countries and emerging economies to move their markets to energy-efficient appliances and equipment. U4E projects are in operation in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.