IEA COP28 Tripling RE report: CAN reaction
4 June 2024
In response to the IEA’s report, ‘COP28 Tripling Renewable Capacity Pledge: Tracking countries’ ambitions and identifying policies to bridge the gap’, Climate Action Network said that while there has been progress, countries are not yet on track to meet their COP28 commitment to triple renewable energy by 2030.
The IEA report illustrates what is feasible and achievable beyond the COP28 Global RE pledge when Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can set a clear path towards tripling global renewable capacity. It also takes stock of the current reality and shortfall that only a few nations (14 out of 194 NDCs submitted), have explicit targets for renewable capacity ambitions in their current NDCs therefore falling short of the pledge. To realize this ambitious but achievable goal, the report goes further to chart a roadmap for country policy priorities to close the tripling implementation gap in various ways. From raising ambition, accelerating implementation despite differentiated pathways and contexts, to improving the cost effectiveness of renewables, and targeted vacation for country clusters facing similar challenges in renewable deployment.
Below are reactions to the report from civil society groups and representatives:
Nakul Sharma, Program Coordinator, CAN South Asia said: “The IEA’s new report tracking the COP28 Tripling Renewable Capacity Pledges, clearly shows the gap between ambition & implementation. It is indeed a matter of concern that even if all countries were to fully implement their current ambitions, the world would still fall 30% short of the target of 11 000 GW by 2030. This needs to change and in the coming months it is critical that all countries submit stronger Nationally Determined Contributions with much higher ambition and a clear implementation plan for bringing down the cost of capital for #Renewables in #GlobalSouth allows a more ambitious, fast and equitable growth of RE across all regions.”
Wafa Misrar, Policy & Campaigns Coordinator, CAN Africa said: “Nearly 200 countries made significant energy pledges at COP28 in Dubai to keep the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C within reach. As attention shifts to implementation, it is crucial for nations to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity. According to the report, current ambitions aim for nearly 8,000 GW of renewable power globally by 2030, focusing on solar PV and wind, though hydropower, bioenergy, and other renewables are often overlooked. While announced plans exceed current NDC commitments, they still fall short of the global tripling target. The second chapter, which outlines key policy priorities to bridge the implementation gap, was particularly insightful.”
Sherpard Zvigadza, Coordinator, Southern Africa Climate Action Network (SARCAN) said: “SARCAN commends the report’s comprehensive conclusions and efforts in adopting a national and regional perspective. We did see, nevertheless, that it fell short in capturing the distinctiveness of southern Africa’s renewable energy capacity on several levels. First it ignores the frequent droughts that have wreaked havoc on infrastructure and major and small hydropower systems, which has a detrimental impact on the region’s ability to acquire electricity and promote sustainable development. Namibia has the greatest PV potential in the world, a fact that the report omits as well.”
Pía Marchegiani, Deputy Director, Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN), Argentina said: “While the need to transition away from fossil fuels is urgent, the pledge to triple renewable energies should be placed in a context of strong energy, mineral and material reduction targets, particularly in the Global North, commitment to human rights and socio-environmental justice with communities and societies in the Global South, and renewed cooperation regarding finances and technology-transfer. The report is providing an ambitious target and acknowledging different pathways forward, but could have done more effort to comprehensively address power asymmetries, and discuss the challenges to a just and fair energy transition.”
Rachel Cleetus, Policy Director, Climate and Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists said: “Today’s IEA report shows that there has been tremendous progress in deploying renewable energy globally but that countries are not yet on track to meet their COP28 commitment to triple renewable energy by 2030. To drive down global heat trapping emissions and limit the climate crisis, countries must also rapidly transition away from fossil fuels in this critical decade and beyond. The United States must take the opportunity to build on the gains secured through the Inflation Reduction Act and accelerate ambition on renewable energy. Richer nations like the United States must also scale up climate finance to support an equitable clean energy transition in lower income nations.”
Dean Cooper, WWF International Energy Lead said: “World leaders must honour their climate finance commitments to ensure inclusive climate action. Time is running out, and countries must work together to halt all new investments in fossil fuel reserves. They must redirect these funds to renewable energy and energy efficiency. WWF is calling for a faster, greener and fairer transition to renewables. A world powered by efficient, clean and renewable energy is possible, secure, and affordable. We must replace fossil fuels in the energy matrix with renewable energy and reach a full capacity of sustainable energy well before 2050.”
Shirley Matheson, WWF Global NDC Enhancement Coordinator said: “Next year, countries must submit new national climate plans to the UN, that are essential in our fight against the climate crisis. We urge governments to submit transformative plans with concrete actions that accelerate the scale and speed of the shift to renewable energy. Developed countries must take the lead by moving away from fossil fuels and increasing the use of renewable energy. This must be reflected by action on the ground, not just at the current talks in Bonn. This is crucial to protecting our planet for the future.”
Camila Mercure, Climate Policy Officer, Responsable de Política Climática, FARN, said: “It is essential to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, but the threefold increase in renewable energy capacity should be determined based on a thorough analysis of the specific circumstances and requirements of each region and country. This should take into account their respective commitments, with a primary focus on respecting human rights, preserving biodiversity, and promoting social and environmental justice, in order to achieve a just, adequate, equitable and affordable energy transition.”
Koaile Monaheng, Renewable Energy Policy Analyst, CAN International said: “The report has transitioned from acknowledging differentiation and context to begin to offer detailed insights into why countries vary in their starting points for renewable energy deployment. Closing the gaps in ambition and implementing supportive policies for all nations, is crucial to charting a clear path towards achieving the Global renewable pledge. This initial step is essential to ensure that no country is left behind.”
Notes to editors
1. One of the key outcomes of COP28 was the launch of the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge to triple Renewable Energy Capacity by 11,000 GW by 2030 and double the annual average rate of energy efficiency from 2% to over 4% by 2030. Nearly 200 countries signed the pledge, recognizing the critical role of renewable energy coupled with energy efficiency, for Paris-Alignment and to limit global warming to 1.5C. The pledge also signals the recognition and commitment of countries to utilize renewable energy and energy efficiency to provide clean, affordable, reliable, flexible and sustainable energy to communities while achieving energy security. It also signaled the countries’ recognition of the critical need for high ambition, expedient and collaborative action to scale up renewable energy and accelerate energy efficiency improvements.
2. Governments around the world have since requested the IEA’s support to identify pathways forward and provide policy makers with advice on accelerating national and secure clean energy transitions. This is a critical time for countries to evaluate their renewable ambitions and update their NDCs with the clear aim of reaching the tripling goal.
3. According to the IEA’s Renewables 2023, its primary analysis and forecasting on the sector, based on current policies and market developments, the tripling goal is ambitious but achievable, given record-breaking annual deployment, remarkable momentum in the sector, and increasing competitiveness with fossil fuels – especially for solar PV and wind.
4. It is on this basis that the IEA seeks to monitor and offer guidance on the implementation of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency targets. The report is expected to be published alongside updates to its Renewable Energy Progress Tracker. It is a particularly opportune review in the 6 month cusp following the launch of the pledge at COP28 and in consideration of other COP28 GST outcomes, to follow the trends and progress that countries have made so far and the recommendations offered by IEA.
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