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New Policy Brief from the NDC Partnership

On June 4, 2025, the NDC Partnership unveiled a crucial policy brief that aims to assist countries worldwide in enhancing their renewable energy capabilities. The initiative involves collaboration from 14 different national governments along with key institutions to support efforts in tripling renewable energy capacity.

The policy brief is titled "Tripling Renewables Powering Climate Action Across Sectors", presenting critical recommendations for countries seeking to integrate renewable sources into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are the climate pledges nations are expected to submit this year.

H.E. Mr. Ole Thonke, who serves as the Co-Chair representative alongside being Denmark's Climate Ambassador, emphasized the importance of demonstrating adherence to the Paris Agreement. He stated, “Tripling renewable energy capacity is fundamental to achieving this goal. For most countries, renewables are the cheapest way to generate electricity today, making it a compelling business case.” Thonke expressed hopes that this guidance would aid in overcoming barriers to accelerate renewable energy deployment, especially in developing nations.

Pablo Vieira, Global Director of the NDC Partnership, highlighted the tremendous opportunity for climate-resilient development through expanded renewable energy use in the upcoming NDCs. He believes incorporating diverse technologies and solutions can enhance mitigation while also providing adaptive capabilities that cater to local needs.

Advancements in technology, coupled with favorable national policies, have propelled the mainstream adoption of renewable energy. In 2023, renewable energy sources constituted one-third of global power generation and accounted for 86% of new energy capacity—adding approximately USD 320 billion to the global economy, equivalent to about 10% of the world's GDP. More than 65% of countries now feature specific, measurable renewable energy targets in their latest NDCs submitted in 2020.

Despite these encouraging trends, substantial discrepancies remain between national energy strategies and the commitments specified in NDCs. Clean energy deployment is uneven, and the upcoming NDC submissions present a vital opportunity for countries to better incorporate renewable energy targets into their climate and developmental frameworks. The policy brief offers six strategic considerations for national policymakers aimed at enhancing renewable energy deployment across various regions:

1. Aligning National Energy Plans with NDCs: This ensures that the ambitions of energy plans and climate pledges are consistent.
2. Establishing Collaboration Mechanisms: This brings renewable energy into broader sectoral planning initiatives.
3. Assessing Sectoral Value Chains: Policymakers are encouraged to identify pathways for renewable energy that can bolster economy-wide climate action.
4. Developing Roadmaps: These roadmaps should clearly outline the technological and financial requirements for integrating renewable energy across key sectors.
5. Raising Public Awareness: Encouraging sub-national governments and the public to engage in the design of renewable energy strategies.
6. Supporting Innovation: Foster new technologies and business models that can thrive in the renewable energy space.

This guidance stands as a reminder of the urgent need for concerted action and collaborative efforts to realize a sustainable energy future. By adopting these recommended strategies, nations can effectively promote the integration of renewable energy into their climate commitments, thereby enhancing their resilience and sustainability in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.