The relentless momentum of the worldwide movement towards renewable energy continues unabated, defying the fluctuations in political climate," states Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly. She highlighted a significant increase in both investment and capacity, indicating a permanent shift away from reliance on fossil fuels.
Baerbock, addressing attendees at the 16th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, emphasized the significant progress in the global adoption of renewable energy in the past decade, indicating a clear shift towards a sustainable and clean-energy trajectory.
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When reflecting on the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, she remembered that the total global capacity of renewable energy was only 153 gigawatts.
She noted that as of the previous year, the installed capacity had increased to over 4,400 gigawatts, which is almost 30 times greater than it was a decade ago.
Baerbock highlighted that the implementation of the UAE Consensus during the COP28 climate conference in Dubai in 2023 served to reinforce this trajectory, as it obligated nations to expedite the shift towards renewable and low-carbon energy systems.
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She mentioned that in her role as the custodian overseeing the progress of the UAE Consensus, the General Assembly expressed its approval of IRENA's efforts to assist member states in advancing energy transitions through collaboration on technology advancement, investment facilitation, and policy backing.
She characterized the present time as a pivotal moment of optimism for the international energy sector, predominantly influenced by economic dynamics rather than ideological motives.
Despite the progress made, Baerbock asserted that the international community has not fully met the commitment outlined in the Paris Agreement to promote the use of sustainable energy sources in Africa.
According to her statement, the combined renewable capacity in Asia, Europe, and North America exceeds 85 percent, whereas Africa only contributes 1.6 percent to the global capacity and 2.3 percent to investments, despite its considerable solar and wind resources. Baerbock called upon governments and financial institutions to increase the scale of financial support, enhance collaborative relationships, and allocate resources toward the development of a proficient renewable energy workforce in emerging economies.
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She also advocated for changes to the global financial system, such as debt relief initiatives to ensure the stability and accessibility of supply chains for renewable technologies, essential minerals, and clean-energy infrastructure.