The COP28 Presidency, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) jointly introduced a report during the Pre-COP event in Abu Dhabi. Titled “Tripling Renewable Power and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030: Crucial Steps Towards 1.5 °C,” the report offers actionable strategies for governments and the private sector to expand global renewable energy capacity to a minimum of 11,000 GW. It also outlines the imperative to double annual energy efficiency improvements by 2030, aligning with COP28’s objective to hasten a fair and systematic shift in energy, crucial for keeping the 1.5 °C target within reach.
The report was launched on the sidelines of Pre-COP, a meeting held in Abu Dhabi a month ahead of COP28 enabling nations to set the stage for discussions at the global climate summit. The report aims to help guide parties on the key enablers required to meet the energy targets.
The report segments key enablers into five areas, covering infrastructure and system operation; policy and regulation; supply chain, skills, and capacities; scaling-up public and private finance; and enhancing international collaboration.
COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said in the report, “Tripling the deployment of renewable power generation and doubling energy efficiency are amongst the most important levers to cut greenhouse gas emissions. I am now calling on everyone to come together, commit to common targets, and take comprehensive domestic and international action, as outlined in this report, to make our ambitions a reality.”
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera added, “Our mission is as clear as it is urgent: We need concerted action to triple renewable power capacity by 2030. This includes urgently addressing deeply entrenched systemic barriers across infrastructure, policy and institutional capacities stemming from the fossil-fuel era. IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook, which provides the analytical foundation of this report, warns that the energy transition is dangerously off-track, demanding immediate, radical collective action. This report outlines actions governments must prioritize to fast-track the global energy transition and keep 1.5 °C alive.”
Bruce Douglas, Global Renewables Alliance CEO, said, “Tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency is the most impactful commitment policymakers can make to combating climate change. These steps will deliver cleaner electricity systems, open up access to affordable energy and deliver clean green jobs for millions of people. The rapid upscaling of renewable energy will require policymakers to work hand-in-hand with industry and civil society to urgently implement the enabling actions in this report – infrastructure and system operation; policy and regulation; and supply chains, skills, and capacities. Critically, these areas must be reinforced by low-cost financing and international collaboration. Working together to secure a livable future for all.”