Countries’ climate plans are not yet in line with the ambitious goal to triple renewable energy capacity worldwide by 2030, set at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai last year. This finding comes from a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) released on Tuesday.

The COP28 target aims to boost installed renewable energy capacity to at least 11,000 gigawatts (GW) by the end of the decade. This is a significant increase from the 4,209 GW recorded in 2023. Achieving this target is crucial for mitigating climate change and reducing global carbon emissions. However, the report highlights that only a few countries have set specific targets for renewable power capacity for 2030 in their commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Out of 194 countries, just 14 have included concrete renewable energy targets in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The current official commitments in these NDCs amount to only 1,300 GW, which is merely 12% of what is needed to meet the global tripling objective set in Dubai. This gap underscores the need for more robust and ambitious commitments from nations worldwide.

The domestic goals of nearly 150 countries, when taken together, are more ambitious than their NDC commitments. These goals correspond to almost 8,000 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030. If countries were to include all their existing policies, plans, and estimates in their new NDCs due to be presented next year, it would represent 70% of the required capacity to meet the 2030 tripling goal. However, this still leaves the world 30% short of the target.

The disparity between domestic goals and NDC commitments suggests that while countries are taking steps towards renewable energy expansion, these efforts are not fully reflected in their formal climate pledges. This highlights a critical need for countries to align their NDCs with their national policies and plans to ensure a unified and concerted effort towards achieving the COP28 targets.

Countries are required to submit new or updated NDCs every five years, with the next round due next year. This provides an opportunity for nations to revise their ambitions for 2030 and include more comprehensive renewable energy targets. The U.N. climate meeting currently taking place in Bonn, Germany, from June 3-13, is addressing this issue among others, such as climate finance.

The Bonn meeting is a crucial step towards enhancing global climate commitments and ensuring that countries are on track to meet the targets set at COP28. It is essential for nations to use this platform to strengthen their NDCs and close the gap between current commitments and the necessary renewable energy capacity.

In summary, the IEA report highlights a significant Countries’ climate plans are not yet in line with the ambitious goal to triple renewable energy targets. To meet the ambitious goals set at COP28, countries must align their national plans with their international commitments. The upcoming U.N. climate meeting in Bonn provides a critical opportunity for nations to revise their NDCs and make more robust pledges toward renewable energy expansion. This alignment is vital for achieving the 11,000 GW target and effectively combating climate change.

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