The Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Francesco La Camera has stressed to lawmakers the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change through renewable energy expansion.
“Your presence today exemplifies the global commitment to combat climate change through the rapid expansion of renewable energy, a commitment we must reinforce with decisive and collective action.
“The urgency to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 cannot be emphasised enough. Existing global targets fall short of the necessary measures to limit temperature rise below 1.5°C.
It is imperative that we act collectively to bridge this gap and ensure a sustainable energy future for all,” said La Camera Tuesday while addressing the Legislators Forum on “Building Blocks for a Renewable Future: Accelerating Progress towards the Tripling of Renewables,” at the 14th IRENA General Assembly in Abu Dhabi.
La Camera emphasised the urgency of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 to limit temperature rise below 1.5°C, highlighting the gap between existing targets and necessary measures.
“The Paris Agreement set a clear direction, and science has highlighted the milestones we must achieve by 2030. Our challenge now is to translate these goals into tangible, actionable steps,” he said.
He underscored the importance of translating goals into tangible steps, citing the UAE Consensus approved at COP28 as a critical step in this direction.
“At the forefront of this endeavour is the UAE Consensus approved at COP28, which underscores the critical need for accelerated renewable energy adoption and laid the groundwork for the ambitious target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
“As the organisation spearheading this call to action, IRENA remains committed to supporting countries in achieving this monumental goal,” he stressed.
La Camera referred to IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook, stressing the need to address barriers to renewable energy expansion, including infrastructure modernisation and skill development.
“As the organisation that catalysed this imperative call to action, IRENA remains committed to supporting countries in achieving this monumental goal.
“IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook stresses the importance of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency measures by 2030 as the most practical and vital course of action. Despite the remarkable achievement in 2023, where we saw a record-breaking 473 GW of renewable energy capacity installed, it’s clear we’re still far from meeting our yearly targets.
“If we’re aiming to install 1043GW every year until 2030, effectively tripling our current capacity, we need to tackle head-on all the barriers standing in our way.
“Modernising and expanding the infrastructure is one of these barriers and a pressing priority for the coming years,” he explained
La Camera emphasised the role of parliaments in implementing the energy transition.
“Every nation’s path will be unique, shaped by its circumstances and priorities.
“Parliaments play a crucial role in the implementation of the transition. Today’s Legislators Forum will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, best practices, and forging partnerships. It is time to translate our discussions into concrete actions,” he stressed.
La Camera echoed the call to embrace the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge as practical steps towards implementing the Paris Agreement.
“I echo the COP28 Presidency’s call to embrace the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge as the practical steps to implementation of the Paris Agreement.
“Together, we can achieve the ambitious goal of tripling renewable energy power by 2030.Together, we can make a difference,” said DG La Camera.
