Weak language on transition puts impetus on industry and governments to end the world’s reliance on polluting fossil fuels and start renewables era.

Dubai, 13 December, 2023 | The agreement to triple renewables at COP28 in Dubai represents a stepchange in the world’s journey to a clean, secure and just energy future. It also marks the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. It represents the first time the technology’s positive impact and climate saving potential has been recognised by all nations. However, the final text, and process to get there, will be remembered as yet another sign of fossil fuels’ cruel grip on the fate of the planet and its citizens.

The debate must move on from asking a handful of fossil producing countries to do us all a favour, and instead focus on building the world we all want to live in. This must be the start of a new era of collaboration that will see industry and government enabling an accelerated transition to a renewable based future.

The specific inclusion for the first time of wind, solar and storage makes it clear renewable technologies can deliver the energy transition this decade. Industry, governments and society must now have a laser-focus on unblocking the pathway to enable their rapid deployment.

Tripling renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW and doubling energy efficiency by the end of the decade is the most impactful and cost efficient way of keeping the world on course for 1.5°C. Renewable energy technologies are mature, cost competitive and can be deployed at scale very fast.  When combined with long duration storage, green hydrogen and smart grids they offer a reliable and flexible solution.  

This agreement needs to be swiftly followed by urgent action and implementation to deliver adequate finance, faster permits, new grids and resilient supply chains. It will then unleash a huge wave of investments and job creation, whilst providing affordable access to secure, local energy and clean air.

Bruce Douglas, CEO, Global Renewables Alliance, said: “The inclusion of tripling renewables in the final COP28 text is unprecedented and signals the start of a massive clean energy revolution. It is the first time all nations have recognised renewable energy as the main solution to the climate crisis, representing a paradigm shift in the energy transition.

“However, the catastrophic failure to agree on the phaseout of fossil fuels will inevitably lock us into increased climate impacts and dramatically exposes the limits of the current COP decision making process. The rapid expansion of renewables this decade offers a once in a generation opportunity to help end the fossil fuel era.”

Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council, and chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, said: “The inclusion of language to transition from fossil fuels in the COP28 consensus is historic and the tripling of renewable energy with energy storage creates the pathway to the sustainable future we all want.”

“The agreement to enshrine tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency is a huge win for the world,” says Julia Souder, the Chief Executive Officer of the LDES Council and Chair of the Global Renewables Alliance. “These measures pave the way for an equitable energy transition by ensuring economic development for the global majority is built on renewable power and energy storage that is better for human and planetary health.”

Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council and vice-chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, said: “COP28 gave us a landmark agreement in the global fight against climate change, with a clear and urgent call for renewable energy to be tripled by 2030. The final text went further to make it clear that the rapid scale up of renewables in this decade will largely draw on wind power, along with solar and storage, as the most proven, scalable and cost-effective technologies for mitigating climate change. This is a milestone for the wind industry, which has now been recognised as being on the frontlines on the road to net zero.

“All eras come to an end, and this must mark the end of the fossil fuel era. The start of the renewables era is now upon us, requiring governments, industry and society to collaborate on now implementing a fair and equitable energy transition.

“We’re now at the start line of a race against time. We must work to unlock finance, streamline permitting, scale the supply chain and transform grids to ensure this isn’t a missed opportunity. The science is clear, and time is limited. The Global Wind Energy Council will be laser focused in this decade on delivering the enormous uptake of wind energy needed in every region of the world.”

Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, and vice-chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, said: “A few years ago, a global renewables target would have been inconceivable. The fact that this is included in the final COP text – in a historically oil & gas country – is an unequivocal signal that renewables are in, and fossil fuels are out. While there are still too many backdoors available for countries to continue business-as-usual with greenwashed technologies like gas and CCSU, the pure economics of the energy transition will prevail. It is thanks to the plummeting costs and innovation of solar and renewables that 1.5C is still just within reach. Renewables are already replacing fossil fuels in countries across the world, and governments need to catch-up with their policy positions as we head to Baku for COP29.”

Eddie Rich, CEO, International Hydropower Association and vice-chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, said:, “Whilst the overall outcome from COP28 is mixed, the sustainable hydropower community welcomes the commitment the world’s leaders have made today on the future for renewables. To triple renewables deployment without falling back on fossil fuels will require the flexibility and storage that only hydropower can bring at scale. Finding models that incentivise sustainable hydropower requires political will and action. Water, wind and sun get the job done!”

About the Global Renewables Alliance

The Global Renewables Alliance ( GRA) represents the leading international industry players and provides a unified renewable energy voice. Comprised of founding members the Global Wind Energy Council, the Global Solar Council, the International Hydropower Association, the International Geothermal Association, the Long Duration Energy Storage Council and the Green Hydrogen Organisation, the Alliance aims to increase ambition and accelerate the uptake of renewable energy across the world. #RenewablesNow

Find us at globalrenewablesalliance.org

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn 

Contact: Alex Bath, Communications Director GRA, +447515759537, alex.bath@gwec.net

Dubai, 2 December 2023 |The pledge to triple global renewable energy capacity by 117] countries by 2030 is an historic milestone in the drive to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. However, it now requires transformational action in every region of the world to deliver the fundamental shift in the global energy system that is needed. Governments must immediately focus on agreeing unambiguous language in the negotiated outcome text of COP28 and establish a forum for holding governments accountable, which will deliver the market signals to unlock investment.

The Global Renewables Alliance is actively working with parties to ensure unambiguous language in the COP28 Negotiated Text. We welcome wider engagement with parties and stakeholders.

Tripling the world’s renewable energy production to 11,000 GW by 2030, coupled with doubling energy efficiency, is the most impactful action to rapidly decarbonise this decade, as highlighted in the pre-COP report by the GRA, the COP28 Presidency and IRENA. In this scale-up, solar and wind will have the largest role to play, but all renewable energy technologies, long duration storage and green hydrogen will be essential.

•  COP28 Presidency, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Global Renewables Alliance publish joint report outlining key enablers to triple global renewable power capacity to 11,000 GW and double average annual energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
• Report launched during Pre-COP in Abu Dhabi to inform countries as they prepare for COP28.
• Key enablers include: infrastructure and system operation, policy and regulation, supply chains, skills and capacities, finance, and international collaboration.
• Report supports key pillar of COP28 Presidency’s Action Agenda to fast-track just and orderly energy transition.
• COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, “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, “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. This report outlines actions governments must prioritize to fast-track the global energy transition and keep 1.5 °C alive.”
• Global Renewables Alliance CEO Bruce Douglas, ” 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.”

Abu Dhabi, 30 October 2023 | The COP28 Presidency, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) launched a joint report today on the sidelines of 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 provides actionable policy recommendations for governments and the private sector on how to increase global renewable energy capacity to at least 11,000 GW while also doubling annual average energy efficiency improvements in the target period. This falls under the COP28 Presidency’s Action Agenda objective of fast- tracking a just and orderly energy transition to keep 1.5 °C within reach.

The report was launched on the sidelines of Pre-COP, a meeting held in Abu Dhabi a month ahead of COP28 for countries to lay the groundwork for negotiations at the global climate summit. The report aims to help guide parties on the key enablers required to meet the energy targets.

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.”

The report, which draws extensively on the analysis presented in IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023: 1.5 °C pathway, divides the key enablers into five sections, covering:

• Infrastructure and system operation: power grids, energy storage, end-use electrification, sector coupling and infrastructure planning, demand-side management.
•  Policy and regulation: improving energy efficiency, market incentives and fiscal policy, power market design and regulation, streamlining permitting, reducing negative impacts, maximizing social and environmental benefits.
• Supply chain, skills, and capacities: building resilient supply chains, education, training, and capacity-building.
• Scaling-up public and private finance.
• Enhancing international collaboration.

The collaboration between the COP28 Presidency, IRENA, and the GRA reflects the growing global consensus on achieving these targets. Ahead of COP28, the Presidency and the European Commission are calling for countries to support the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, with Champion countries already committed to supporting these global targets.

About the Global Renewables Alliance

The Global Renewables Alliance ( GRA) represents the leading international industry players and provides a unified renewable energy voice. Comprised of founding members the Global Wind Energy Council, the Global Solar Council, the International Hydropower Association, the International Geothermal Association, the Long Duration Energy Storage Council and the Green Hydrogen Organisation, the Alliance aims to increase ambition and accelerate the uptake of renewable energy across the world. #RenewablesNow

Find us at globalrenewablesalliance.org

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn 

Contact: Alex Bath, Communications Director GRA, +447515759537, alex.bath@gwec.net

New York, 20 September 2023 |Against a backdrop of unstable energy prices, supply security challenges and urgent warnings about climate change the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that underlines their joint commitment to fast–tracking the transition to renewable energy. 

Renewable energy is the most reliable, cost-effective energy option and has witnessed a significant growth in recent years. The transition to renewable energy has also brought a wide range of benefits for the nations that have adopted it. These include job creation, bolstering local economic value chains, advancing gender equality, and enhancing public health. However, the recent growth in renewables falls short of what is urgently required to meet 2030 and 2050 net zero and development targets.  

In line with the recent UN assessments, REN21 and GRA emphasise that no country is currently on a credible pathway to limiting global warming below 1.5°C. Last year, power sector emissions reached an all-time high, and unabated fossil fuels still account for over 60% of total global electricity generation. 

In this context, REN21 and GRA recognise the necessity of bringing together the largest global renewable energy multi-stakeholder voice with a strong renewable energy industry voice. As the only global community of renewable energy actors representing governments, NGOs, academia and industry, REN21 ensures a diversity of perspectives and insights to support informed decisions and better actions. Working together, REN21 and GRA will engage in activities to create a stronger, collective voice to drive the push for the transition to a renewables-based energy system that supports both economies and societies.  

Rana Adib, Executive Director, REN21 said: “We welcome the creation of the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) as a unified and powerful voice of renewable energy industry leaders, most of which are Members of REN21.  We look forward to collaborating with GRA to drive the energy transition.  We must capitalise on the growing momentum for the tripling of installed renewable energy capacity to push for wider renewable uptake especially in the high energy consuming sectors such as the transport and heating.  Turning such a target into a reality within the next seven years requires that all forces are leveraged and focused.” 

Bruce Douglas, CEO, GRA said: “Delivering the huge amount of renewable energy required to meet net zero targets requires collaboration in every sector, and the Global Renewables Alliance is delighted be collaborating with REN21 to help drive policy decisions that will help realise the aim of tripling renewable energy by 2030, and then building on that momentum to achieve net zero by 2050. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century.” 

About REN21 – Renewables ​​Now 

REN21 is the only global renewable energy community that brings together actors from science, academia, governments, NGOs, and industry to collectively drive the rapid, fair transition to renewables. Founded in 2004, REN21 has over 18 years of experience in providing credible insights and connecting ecosystems inside and outside the renewable energy sphere. Our objective is to support and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.  

Today, REN21 drives the renewable energy transition by creating an enabling environment for renewables to become the obvious choice. We ensure a systemic approach, opening multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary spaces for communication and debate to drive the uptake of renewables. Our ever-growing community comprises over 100 members and more than 4,000 experts from all regions who continuously contribute to REN21’s knowledge, dialogue, and communication efforts. Collectively, we work to drive the rapid uptake of renewables. Together. 

About the Global Renewables Alliance

The Global Renewables Alliance ( GRA) represents the leading international industry players and provides a unified renewable energy voice. Comprised of founding members the Global Wind Energy Council, the Global Solar Council, the International Hydropower Association, the International Geothermal Association, the Long Duration Energy Storage Council and the Green Hydrogen Organisation, the Alliance aims to increase ambition and accelerate the uptake of renewable energy across the world. #RenewablesNow

Find us at globalrenewablesalliance.org

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn 

Contact: Alex Bath, Communications Director GRA, +447515759537, alex.bath@gwec.net

A global multi-stakeholder coalition highlights the urgency of action on the energy transition required from world leaders as they gather in New York with just 73 days to go until COP28

New York, 18 September 2023 | Companies and organizations representing a market value of more than $12 trillion, responsible for the majority of global renewable energy deployment and from all six populated continents have published an open letter to world leaders calling for a target to triple renewable energy capacity to 11,000GW by 2030 to be agreed at COP28 later this year. 

The call for action comes from a diverse cross-section of stakeholders in the energy sector: international governmental organizations, producers, buyers, supply chain actors, civil society, environmental groups and youth. Around half of the signatories are based in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and Latin America. They are united by the transformative impact of tripling renewable power capacity by 2030 across the world, and the critical moment presented by COP28 for world leaders to turn ambitions into genuine action to maintain a 1.5°C pathway. 

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO) 2023, an immediate course-correction is needed in this decade to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This requires tripling of total global renewable power capacity by 2030 to at least 11,000 GW and doubling energy efficiency improvement rates. Around $4 trillion of annual investment in transition technologies would be needed to achieve the rapid deployment of wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and other forms of renewable energy, which will lay the foundations for technologies such as green hydrogen and long-duration energy storage to scale up beyond 2030.

The open letter, initiated by the Global Renewables Alliance, underscores that “a step change this decade in renewable energy growth, combined with an increase in energy efficiency, will be the fastest and most cost-efficient way to decarbonise the global economy. It is one of the most impactful commitments that the global community can undertake now to secure a liveable future for all.” 

Major initiators, supporters and signatories of the letter include the Global Renewables Alliance members, IRENA, the COP28 Presidency, UNIDO, The Nature Conservancy, the Climate Group, American Clean Power, RE100, WBCSD, We Mean Business, REN21, RMI and corporate entities including Adani, AES, Amazon, Apple, CIP, CEPSA, Corio, DNV, ERM, EY, GCL, Google, Huawei, Microsoft, Ørsted, PepsiCo, ReNew, SSE, TES, Unilever and Vestas. Altogether, market value for publicly listed signatories exceeds $12 trillion – equivalent to the combined GDP of Japan, India and Germany. 

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, said: “IRENA supports the call for a global renewable target at COP28. I am pleased to see that our data builds the ground for the global campaign by the Global Renewable Alliance. IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook calls for an immediate course-correction for a 1.5°C climate pathway, enabled by the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030 to at least 11,000 GW globally. The business case for renewables has never been stronger. But we must urgently overcome the systemic barriers across infrastructure, policy, and institutional capabilities in the coming years and build a new energy system that is run on renewables.”

Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance said: “Against the backdrop of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Climate Ambition Summit, the groundswell of enormous support for an ambitious renewable energy goal is cause for optimism. With less than three months left until the COP28 climate talks begin, we see that the world is ready for what the UN Secretary-General has called a “quantum leap in climate action.” 

“While there has been progress at the recent G20 summit in New Delhi, actions speak louder than ambition. The renewables industry is ready, willing and able to step up but we need policymakers to take urgent action to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement. We must achieve a crucial breakthrough at COP28 by agreeing on a global renewables target of at least 11,000 GW by 2030, and start implementing the key enablers like accelerated permitting for projects, investment in grids and sustainable supply chains. It is imperative that we deploy the renewable industry’s solutions at scale today to make net zero by 2050 a reality and help deliver a clean, secure and just energy transition.” 

Read the full text of the letter here: https://globalrenewablesalliance.org/open-letter/. 

Join the conversation online: #RenewablesNow #3xRenewables 

About the Global Renewables Alliance

The Global Renewables Alliance ( GRA) represents the leading international industry players and provides a unified renewable energy voice. Comprised of founding members the Global Wind Energy Council, the Global Solar Council, the International Hydropower Association, the International Geothermal Association, the Long Duration Energy Storage Council and the Green Hydrogen Organisation, the Alliance aims to increase ambition and accelerate the uptake of renewable energy across the world. #RenewablesNow

Find us at globalrenewablesalliance.org

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn 

Contact: Alex Bath, Communications Director GRA, +447515759537, alex.bath@gwec.net

The world’s leading renewable energy voices have joined with the COP28 Presidency and European Commission to ensure an ambitious 2030 global renewable target is at the top of  the agenda at the COP 28 Conference in Dubai this December. 

Goa, 27 July 2023 – In an announcement at the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM14) over  the weekend, the private and public sector, represented by the International Renewable  Energy Agency (IRENA), the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), COP28 Presidency, and other  key government representatives, strengthened their collaboration on efforts to put in place  a 2030 global renewable energy target to triple total installed capacity to 11 TW by 2030.  This would help accelerate the rapid deployment of renewable energy across the world.  

The meeting was organised by IRENA, GRA, the Global Solar Council (GSC) and the Global  Wind Energy Council (GWEC) against a backdrop of daily record temperatures, weather induced disasters and security challenges – the urgency for action is clear. They convened  key representatives from governments and industries worldwide to engage in constructive  dialogues and identify actionable strategies to put in place a global renewables target on the  road to COP28. The dialogue also discussed how to unleash the potential of renewables by  overcoming barriers such as permitting red tape, while putting in place important enablers  such as financing mechanisms and clear regulatory frameworks. 

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate said: “We must come  together at COP28 as a global community more committed than ever to fighting climate  change. As part of our presidency this year, we want to take the opportunity to raise global  ambitions on key climate solutions. Renewable energy is one of those solutions, and we are  calling for all countries to commit to supporting a global tripling of renewable capacity as  well as a doubling of energy efficiency progress by 2030“. 

“IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook positions the renewables-based energy  transition as the most realistic climate solution and calls for total renewable power capacity  to more than triple by 2030, compared to 2022 levels, to over 11 TW globally,” said IRENA  Director-General Francesco La Camera. “While every region and country must tailor its own  approach, this global target clearly underscores the scale and speed required for the energy  transition, highlighting the urgent need for COP28 to address the existing structural barriers  that impede progress.”

Director Paula Pinho from the European Commission said: “We need to speed up the  deployment of renewables to triple our capacity and double our energy efficiency  improvements in this decade. This should be the basis for setting up a global pledge at COP28. We believe such a pledge is the only solution to bring the world back on track with a  1.5°C trajectory. And it will give industry and investors a clear sense of direction.” 

Bruce Douglas, CEO of The Global Renewables Alliance said: “Raising renewable energy  ambitions, and taking concrete action to deliver on those targets, is the very minimum we  should be doing. The renewables industry is delighted to be aligning with important bodies  such as IRENA, European Commission and COP Presidency in calling for an ambitious global  renewables target to triple total installed capacity to at least 11 TW by 2030. 

However, even more important is urgently putting in place the policy frameworks, finance  mechanisms, accelerated permitting, grid infrastructure and supply chain support to enable  the unprecedented growth of renewable energy. We need ambition now, action now,  #RenewablesNow.” 

20 JULY 2023 – Goa, India | The 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) held in Goa, India, marked a significant milestone in the global transition towards a sustainable and carbon-free energy future. 

The side event ‘Towards a 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Future’ presented the benefits of hourly matching of clean energy supply and demand and discussed a proposed new CEM workstream 24/7 CFE and the establishment of a Global Coalition for high impact corporate sourcing. This signals a united effort by the Global Renewables Alliance, UN-Energy and Sustainable Energy for All to achieve a cleaner and more resilient energy system. 

The 24/7 CFE procurement strategy is supported already by some of the leading global players in space, such as RE100, IRENA, SEforALL, EnergyTag, WBCSD, Eurelectric, RE-Source and ACEC. The proposed CEM workstream and Global Coalition aim to engage partners in the implementation of their procurement strategy. At the same time, it will be contributing to the ongoing efforts of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact commitment to the United Nations to expand and internationalize in the Global South, and the existing Global Renewables Alliance activities in high-impact corporate sourcing. 

“The global transition to 24×7 Carbon Free Energy requires all countries and sub sectors to participate and the role of UN-Energy 24×7 Carbon Free Energy Compact in driving this network approach is catching much needed momentum which can deliver energy security gains.” said Ms. Kanika Chawla, Director and Chief of Staff, Sustainable Energy for All.

The 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Compact was launched at the High-Level Dialogue on Energy, held by UN Energy in September 2021, as an ambitious global one-stop coalition of 127 signatories (energy buyers, energy suppliers, governments, system operators, solutions providers, investors, and other organizations) advocating for policy change and policy reform to meet their total electricity demand with carbon-free resources – every hour, every day, everywhere.