NDC Partnership Launches Policy Brief to Triple Renewable Energy Capacity Globally

New Policy Brief from the NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership has recently mobilized 14 governments and prominent institutions to release a pivotal policy brief that aims to facilitate the integration of renewable energy into national climate strategies. This brief is significant as it lays out a framework for countries to triple their renewable energy capacities. Titled "Tripling Renewables Powering Climate Action Across Sectors," the document suggests actionable steps that nations can incorporate within their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – a set of climate pledges that countries are expected to submit this year.

H.E. Mr. Ole Thonke, the Climate Ambassador and NDC Partnership Co-Chair representative from Denmark, emphasised the urgency of this initiative. He stated, "Building on the Global Stocktake and the new NDCs, it is essential for the global community to deliver on the Paris Agreement. Tripling renewable energy capacity is fundamental to achieving this goal. Today, for most countries, renewables are the cheapest way to generate electricity, making them a compelling business case. I hope the guidance in this brief is instrumental in overcoming lingering obstacles and accelerating renewable energy deployment, particularly in developing nations, ultimately paving the way for a sustainable future."

Pablo Vieira, the Global Director of the NDC Partnership, echoed these sentiments by stating that tripling the renewable energy capacity is not only achievable but also crucial for climate-resilient development. He noted, "The upcoming round of NDCs presents an excellent opportunity to incorporate a diverse array of technologies, innovations, and solutions that not only mitigate climate impacts but also enable adaptation strategies, ensuring successful models are financed, shared, and expanded to meet local needs."

Recent trends indicate that renewable energy has gained substantial traction globally, thanks to advancements in technology, competitive pricing, and supportive policies from various governments. As of 2023, renewable energy sources constituted one-third of the world's total power generation and accounted for 86% of new energy capacity, adding roughly USD 320 billion to the global economy – equivalent to about 10% of the overall GDP. Additionally, over 65% of countries have included specific, measurable targets in their NDCs, submitted in the previous cycle in 2020.

However, despite notable progress, significant disparities remain between national energy plans and the renewable energy commitments articulated in NDCs. The upcoming NDC submissions provide a crucial opportunity for nations to embed renewable energy targets into their broader climate and development strategies. To facilitate this, the policy brief presents six vital considerations for national policymakers, aimed at expediting the deployment of renewable energy across various locales:

1. Aligning national energy strategies with NDCs to ensure mutual ambition.
2. Creating collaborative frameworks to incorporate renewable energy into sector-specific planning.
3. Analyzing sectoral value chains and engaging stakeholders to discover pathways for renewable energy to support comprehensive climate action.
4. Developing roadmaps detailing technology and financing requirements for the integration of renewables across critical sectors.
5. Enhancing public awareness and involving subnational governments in the formulation of renewable energy strategies.
6. Encouraging innovation while cultivating new technologies and business models.

The guidance provided in this brief is based on firsthand experiences from countries successfully implementing renewable energy measures. It aims to share replicable lessons from previous NDC preparations and tackle prevailing systemic barriers, such as the challenge of securing adequate financing. As the world faces escalating climate challenges, the role of renewable energy in sustainable economic development and climate resilience is undeniably pivotal.