As world leaders and energy ministers gathered in Goa, India for the G20 meetings under the Energy Transitions Working Group, there was much hope of raised ambitions and urgent action to deploy the renewable energy capacity needed to stay on a 1.5C pathway. However, the outcomes of these meetings failed to push anything forward, representing a missed opportunity on catalysing global agreement and actions to accelerate the deployment of one of the world’s key climate solutions. The official statement on the outcomes from the Global Solar Council and the Global Renewables Alliance can be found below.
As world temperatures soar and climate disasters are impacting the lives of people across the world, it should be obvious that something needs to change, and needs to change urgently. We hoped that the governments participating in the G20 meetings in India this week would recognize this and catalyze this change. But it is clear from the outcome of these meetings that it is still just talk, and no action.
Gianni Chianetta, CEO, Global Solar Council
We all know that solar and other renewables will be able to deliver a significant amount of the carbon reductions needed to stay on a 1.5C pathway – that is a fact no longer up for discussion. What we need now is more ambition, clarity, and commitments from governments to remove barriers and unleash the full potential of renewables. At COP28 in Dubai later this year, we cannot afford to have another diluted outcome, and must push for clear policies and targets that can support a tripling to at least 11 TW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
The outcome is a huge missed opportunity. If simply acknowledging the transformative potential of renewable energy could solve the challenge of climate change, then we would have already solved the climate crisis several times over. Realising the huge benefits of renewable energy requires real ambition and urgent action.
Bruce Douglas, CEO, Global Renewables Alliance
“World leaders must set out ambitions that will drive investor confidence and inspire countries, communities and renewable industries to work together to deliver rapid implementation. A global target of tripling total renewable energy capacity to at least 11 TW by 2030 would send the right market signals. The Global Renewables Alliance will continue to work with platforms like the Clean Energy Ministerial on the urgent actions required, whilst we continue to call for more ambition from G20 and COP 28.
“The G20 is being held against a backdrop of record temperatures around the world that we are all now feeling the negative effects of. We cannot turn a blind eye to these increased risks and costs.
“The world needs ambitions now, actions now, renewables now.