A six-fold increase in clean power by 2030 is needed to achieve global carbon emission targets and stop temperatures rising 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. That is the message being shared by the International Renewables Energy Agency and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at #COP25 in Madrid this week.
In a joint statement, they said it is time to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, adding that both organisations are ready to help countries fast-track the adoption of the available technologies. The ‘Climate Promise’ campaign, launched by UNDP in September, is one way they are doing this, by offering governments assistance in formulating plans to go further with their Nationally Determined Contributions – or NDCs, as the Paris commitments are known. It is supporting 100 countries strengthen their climate pledges by 2020, with IRENA providing advice on energy specific solutions.
“Shifting to renewables will create far-reaching development impacts, triggering an economic stimulus and creating millions of jobs around the world, not to mention widespread health and other welfare benefits. Renewable energy should be an integral part of countries’ climate pledges,” said Achim Steiner, the Administrator of UNDP. “We recognise the challenges, but this transition is achievable. At UNDP we stand ready to support countries to take bolder action on climate change.”
IRENA and UNDP are also behind the #ItsPossible initiative which urges policy-makers and investors to back renewable energy.
“There is no sustainable development without renewable energy. It’s possible to accelerate the low-carbon energy transition and achieve sustainable development, thereby creating inclusive and prosperous economies,” added Francesco La Camera, the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency said at the Madrid Climate Summit.
During their COP25 event, IRENA launched its new report ‘NDCs in 2020: Advancing Renewables in the Power Sector and Beyond’.
