IRENA Hosts 28th Council Meeting in Abu Dhabi, Focuses on Urgent Renewable Energy Targets Ahead of COP29

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has convened its 28th Council meeting in Abu Dhabi today, marking the last major gathering before the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29). Over the next two days, IRENA members will focus on critical energy transition goals, including the tripling of renewable energy capacity and the doubling of energy efficiency by 2030.

The discussions will be shaped by IRENA’s recently published report, Delivering on the UAE Consensus: Tracking Progress Toward Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030. The report, developed in collaboration with COP28 and COP29 presidencies, and partners including the Government of Brazil and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), warns that current national efforts will only achieve half of the necessary growth in renewable energy by 2030 to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C.

“The 1.5°C target is still within reach, but the risk of missing it is becoming increasingly near,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera, stressing the need for more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP29.

Dr. Gloria Magombo, Secretary for Energy and Power Development of Zimbabwe and Chair of the IRENA Council, echoed these concerns, calling for increased collective resolve to close the gap between current energy transition efforts and global climate targets.

In addition to addressing renewable energy and efficiency goals, the meeting will explore national experiences in the energy transition, the challenges of mobilizing finance for renewables, and innovative partnerships, particularly for small island economies.

IRENA also launched a global campaign, #3xRenewables for the planet and its people, aimed at driving action toward tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.