It is already known that within the United Nations Conference on Climate Change 2023 (COP28), an agreement was reached on the tripling of the global capacity of renewable energy sources, as well as the doubling of energy efficiency by 2030. This agreement is known as the UAE Consensus.
The International Agency for Renewable Energy Sources (IRENA), in its new report, identified the structural obstacles that countries must overcome in order to achieve progress towards the set goal.
In addition to the obstacles, the report entitled The perspective of the world energy transition (eng. The World Energy Transitions Outlook), also offers key incentives that have helped create favorable conditions for accelerating the transition.
Among the obstacles, the isolated adoption of policies stands out, because in this way the systemic change that is needed in energy policy and planning is prevented. Most of the IRENA members who participated in the research conducted in preparation for the next submission of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) pointed out that it is necessary to improve policies and regulations in order to progress in the energy transition.
As a reminder, NDCs represent mandatory plans and targets related to the global fight against climate change, which countries set as their contributions.
IRENA has set certain guidelines and recommendations for policy makers, which states should be guided by. As stated, the answers of the member states showed that they are in agreement with them.
On its official website, IRENA lists the following guidelines and recommendations. First, placing the energy transition at the center of national economic and development strategies, then there is the direction of sectoral and intersectoral policies for the promotion of the development of renewable sources as well as other solutions related to the transition. Thirdly, it states the adaptation of policies and measures to market realities and finally the adaptation of policies to support the renewable energy industry.
And when it comes to reducing emissions in the transport sector, the Report published by IRENA states that many countries still do not have sufficiently ambitious goals, which are in line with the Paris Agreement. Moreover, only 23 countries have set good targets in their NDCs, while 135 countries do not include specific emission reduction targets. Electric vehicles are a key part of decarbonization, which is why policies should include vehicle efficiency, charging infrastructure, and reducing unnecessary transportation.
According to IRENA, policies related to decarbonization should be fair so that they encourage innovation and also address socio-economic inequality.
Energy portal
Source: energetskiportal.rs
