For the first time in the history of climate talks, renewables are receiving significant attention. REN21 is part of the collective push for a renewable energy and energy efficiency target. We are holding a combination of virtual and in-person events to create the needed momentum.
Find us at the Global Renewables Hub, the pavilion hosted by the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) where REN21 is a strategic partner. Let’s call together for 3xrenewables and an inclusive, robust Target at COP28!
REN21 COP28 Programme
Monday,
30 October
Global RENdezvous Session 1: What is the global RE & EE target? Why is it important?
Location: Virtual
Recording: please catch the replay here
Wednesday,
15 November
Global RENdezvous session 2: Our Collective Push for the global RE target
Location: Virtual
Register: Please register here
Friday,
1 December
Meeting the SDGs & Climate Goals: Are renewables the most sustainable energy source?
Location:
SDG Pavilion
Format: Open to public
Sunday,
3 December
Global RENdezvous: Developing countries’ perspectives on the global RE target
Location:
Global Renewables Hub (GRA/IRENA/REN21)
Mobility District
Building: MA15
Format: By invitation
Sunday,
3 December
Building Societal Support for Renewables: An energy transition for people and planet 15:00 -16:30
Location: European Union Pavilion
Format: Open to public
Bridging Energy Supply and Demand: Systems approach to decarbonisation of energy-consuming sectors
Location: REN21 Booth #39
Format: Open to public
Tuesday,
5 December
Official side event: Achieving Climate Targets in the Transport Sector: Can Renewables Pave the Way? 11:30 –13:00
Location: SE Room 6
Format: Open to public
Wednesday,
6 December
Ensuring an Inclusive Global RE & EE Target – Developing Country Perspectives 8:30 – 9:30
Location:
Global Renewables Hub (GRA/IRENA/REN21)
Mobility District
Building: MA15
Format: Open to public
Enabling the Systemic and Just Transformations of the Transport & Energy Sectors: SLOCAT 16:00 – 17:00
Location:
Global Renewables Hub (GRA/IRENA/REN21)
Mobility District
Building: MA15
Format: Open to public
A global renewable energy & energy efficiency target
For the first time in the history of climate talks, renewables are receiving significant attention. Historically, the only mention of renewable energy in the UNFCCC process came in the context of finance: “Highlights that about $4 trillion per year needs to be invested in renewable energy up until 2030 to be able to reach net zero emissions by 2050, a global transformation to a low-carbon economy is expected to require investment of at least USD 4–6 trillion per year.”
In general, energy has been mentioned in the UNFCCC process only as follows:
- “Coal phasedown” without any timeline, quantification, or accountability
- The word “fossil” has only been mentioned in the context of the phaseout of subsidies
COP28 is therefore expected to be a historic moment for renewables, especially if an outcome decision or a similar result at the Global Stock Take (GST) is reached and commits governments to tripling renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW, and double energy efficiency and hydrogen production to 180 million tons per year by 2030.
Even if an outcome decision or a GST result is not reached on a global target for renewables, introducing the topic will build momentum for setting such a target in the near future and will stimulate discussions for potential replication and implementation in regional and national contexts.
Why is a global target important?
- To focus COP and national policy priorities where they matter and starve the oxygen out of harmful technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage
- It provides a signal to markets and investors, which will invigorate the transition in the real economy and societies
- It completes the civil society narrative about the need for fossil fuel phaseout to meet the Paris goals, recognising that the power target is a driver of the transition, and not the full solution
- Wind and solar are the cheapest forms of energy and are able to achieve the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030
- It fosters recognition that power is highly polluting and that 43% of emissions need to be cut by 2030
- It stimulates national ambition because it starts discussions about annual deployment and uptake of renewable capacity, based on which policymakers frame their policies
