IRENA Council Gathers In Abu Dhabi To Propel Renewable Energy Investments

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) convenes its 27th Council meeting in Abu Dhabi today, just days after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued an urgent call for climate action. The two-day meetings gather representatives from 105 countries to discuss critical issues facing the energy transition.

Over the next two days, IRENA members will focus on scaling up and de-risking renewable energy investments towards realising decarbonisation and sustainable development goals. They will also bolster partnerships with private sector entities and utilities and delve into best practices for energy planning.

The Council will facilitate consultation and cooperation among IRENA Members to review the Agency’s work programme, budget, and annual report among other relevant administrative and institutional matters. "Despite the world installing more renewable energy capacity in 2023 than any previous year, additions were still only half of what is necessary to limit rising temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius," said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera.

La Camera emphasised the need for a significant increase in commitment and action from both public and private sectors to meet the global target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. He stated that IRENA would play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency and accountability by tracking progress and facilitating implementation towards the energy goals set at COP28.

Last week, La Camera met with Guterres and stressed the critical need to prioritise energy infrastructure in the climate agenda. He also highlighted IRENA's role as a custodian agency in monitoring progress toward the global target to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, as tasked by the COP28 Presidency and supported by the incoming COP29 Presidency.

"IRENA’s mission is critical on many levels," stated Dr. Gloria Magombo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Zimbabwe, and 27th IRENA Council Chair. "A renewables-based energy transition is not only the most effective climate solution available but also key to addressing the energy access challenges many countries currently face."

Dr. Magombo expressed her commitment to ensuring that IRENA's exceptional work in advocacy, support, and progress tracking is fully supported by its members. The Council meeting aims to foster collaboration among member states to accelerate renewable energy adoption globally.

With inputs from WAM