IRENA at COP28 – Accelerating Energy Transition
The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), taking place in the United Arab Emirates this year, will bring together 200+ countries, companies, civil society organizations, NGOs, academics, youth and more to discuss their progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change yet.
As the global community prepares for the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake at COP28, immediate action to course correct the 1.5°C pathway remains a top priority. IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO) 2023 shows that on average, 1 000 GW of renewables power needs to be added each year to triple renewables power capacity to 11,000 GW by 2030.
IRENA is engaging directly with the COP28 Presidency to accelerate the energy transition and advance in the pathway to the 1.5°C goal. IRENA’s Global Renewables Hub will put the rapid scale up of renewable energy at the heart of this year’s COP. Together with the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) and REN21 as a strategic partner, IRENA will build a shared space at the centre of the Blue Zone, bringing together policymakers, industry experts and key stakeholders from around the world to work together and drive the renewable-based energy transition.
At the Pre-COP28 in Abu Dhabi a new report on authored by IRENA, Global Renewable Alliance (GRA) and COP28 Presidency will be launched. This report will present the enablers and renewable energy generation capacity targets to 2030 required to enable the tripling of renewable energy capacity as part of the WETO framework to achieve a just energy transition. Drawing on this analysis and in line with the priority areas outlined by the COP28 Presidency, IRENA has developed and implemented targeted initiatives that reflect the Agency’s holistic approach to energy transitions.
Spotlight on IRENA’s Initiatives at COP28
Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform (ETAF)
IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform is an inclusive, multistakeholder climate finance platform focused on advancing the global energy transition in developing countries. By bringing together a diverse network of partners, the ETAF Platform enables the financing of renewable energy projects giving developers access to various de-risking solutions and financing opportunities as a way of advancing their energy projects.
Alliance for Industry Decarbonization
The Alliance for Industry Decarbonization, launched at COP27, formed of leading companies across all industry sectors, aims to decarbonise industrial value chains and accelerate net-zero ambitions in accordance with the Paris Agreement through six pillars and enablers: renewables, green hydrogen, bioenergy, utilisation and storage, heat process optimisation, human capital, and finance.
Empowering Lives and Livelihoods
Recognising the crucial role of renewables in adaptation and climate resilience and building on the Agency’s long-standing experience in bridging energy nexus issues, IRENA and the UAE will officially launch the Empowering Lives and Livelihoods – Renewables for Climate Action initiative at COP28. This multi-stakeholder partnership aims to commit USD 1 billion towards renewables for adaptation to connect people and livelihoods through renewable solutions in agri-food and health sectors in LDCs and SIDS.
Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa
The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa is a partnership formed between IRENA, Kenya, Denmark, Germany and the UAE, that focuses on three key areas: mobilising finance, providing technical assistance and capacity building, and engaging with the private sector. Currently, Africa is home to 17 percent of the world’s population but receives only 2 percent of worldwide investment in renewable energy.
Youth engagement initiatives
The IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen) programme and IRENA Youth Award are two interlinked initiatives that harness youth potential, mobilise youth action, and serve as a global showcase for youth-led innovation and solutions in the climate-energy space. With an initial cohort of 22 youth-led startups, the NewGen programme contributes to building renewable energy skills and capacities of youth while providing mechanisms to support and fund youth innovations.
IRENA events at COP28
The Global Renewables Hub in the Blue zone invites COP28 participants to engage in a range of renewable energy and energy transition focused events.
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:15 |
| The impact of crime on critical material supply chains for the green energy transition |
| 17:15 – 18:00 |
| Shift to renewables in South East Europe: NDCs and NECPs as financial roadmaps |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| Community-led projects: Transitioning remote communities to renewable energy |
| 18:00 – 19:00 |
| Climate impact on renewable resources and rising energy demand |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| AUS Pavillion Global Offshore Wind Alliance Regional roundtable on the strength of regional cooperation to unlock offshore wind supply chain potential in the Asia Pacific |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:15 |
| Renewables for Climate Action: Launch of the Empowering Lives and Livelihoods initiative |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| Parliamentary Accountability Summit |
| 18:00 – 19:00 |
| Empowering Lives and Livelihoods: Renewables and entrepreneurship |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:00 – 11:15 |
| Just transitions in the Global South: Community perspectives from South Africa and Indonesia |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| Empowering Lives and Livelihoods: Showcasing opportunities to integrate renewables in agri-food and health value chains |
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Energising Africa: Navigating investments in renewable technologies |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 18:30 – 22:00 |
| High-level dinner with European industry leaders |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 8:30 – 10:00 |
| Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa |
| 10:15 – 11:30 |
| Accelerating energy transition through project facilitation and partnerships |
| 12:00 – 13:30 |
| Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) Ministerial From targets to turbines: Next Steps in offshore wind |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:00 – 11:15 |
| Mitigating climate change with 100% renewable energy |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| High-level dialogue on project facilitation |
| 17:30 – 18:30 |
| Tripling renewable power by 2030: A legislators dialogue |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:05 – 10:55 |
| Youth and Children Pavilion Youth in Energy Stock Take: Entrepreneurial impact of Youth-Led Energy & Clean technology Startups |
| 10:45 – 11:25 |
| UAE Pavilion Aligning energy and climate strategies: Holistic planning for a clean energy future |
| 13:30 – 15:00 |
| Al Waha Theatre Small Island Developing States: A Just and Equitable Energy Transition Towards A Climate-Resilienct Future |
| 15:00 – 16:00 |
| Marrakech Partnership – Implementation Lab Enablers to tripling renewable power generation by 2030 through a just, financed, and equitable transition |
| 17:35 – 18:15 |
| UAE Pavilion Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID) CEO Roundtable meeting |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 11:29 – 11:40 |
| Launch of the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) as part of the Marrakesh Partnership event |
| 14:00 – 15:30 |
| COP28 – Renewables and Energy Efficiency Ministerial (Global Pledge) – Al saih |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| High-Level Roundtable Renewable energy and climate action in the GCC: Achievements, plans and priorities |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:00 – 11:15 |
| Investing in human capital to enable the energy transition |
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Renewables: How to implement renewable energy capacity in emerging and mature markets |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:30 |
| Seychelles Pavilion SIDS Energy Transition: Navigating a Green Hydrogen Future |
| 14:00 – 14:50 |
| Just Transition Pavilion Empowering the Green Workforce: Education and Skills for a Just Transition |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:15 |
| Powering progress: scaling up partnerships for catalyzing renewable energy in developing countries to achieve SDG 7 (SRMI) |
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Enabling youth action on SDG7 |
| 17:15 – 18:00 |
| Energising the future: Connecting young energy leaders |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Championing energy transitions through effective regulation |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:30 |
| Global Rewenables Hub, Side Event Room, First Floor RES4Africa Foundation – “Innovative solutions for a Youth-led Just Energy Transition” |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:00 – 11:15 |
| Bridging the renewable energy investment gap: The crucial role of public finance |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 11:30 – 13:00 |
| IMO-IRENA-UNCTAD COP28 Side Event SE Room 4 (Blue Zone) The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy: defining the global level-playing-field for shipping decarbonization |
| 16:30 – 17:30 |
| WTO Pavillion Launch of WTO-IRENA report on Hydrogen trade |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:00 – 11:15 |
| Decarbonising the planet: Youth’s contributions to the energy transition |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| Green hydrogen policymaking in developing countries |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:15 |
| Innovative renewable solutions in agriculture |
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Harnessing data for the energy transition |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 9:45 – 10:30 |
| “Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit” – Opening Panel: Global Context for 2050 – Energy Transition in an Uncertain World – Museum of the future |
