IRENA at COP28 – Accelerating Energy Transition
The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), taking place in the United Arab Emirates this year, brought 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 engaged 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 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 built 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 was launched. This report 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 invited COP28 participants to engage in a range of renewable energy and energy transition focused events.
Download the full programme of events at the Global Renewables Hub or IRENA events in other pavilions:
| COP28 Global Renewables Hub Pavilion Events | COP28 IRENA Events at other pavilions |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:15 |
| Re-energizing efforts to achieve universal access in Latin America and the Caribbean (GEAPP) |
| 17:00 – 18:30 |
| High Level Event on Tripling Renewable Energy Global Pledge This high-level event allowed Heads of States and Ministerial-level participants to discuss the path forward in achieving the global goals of tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Expected outcomes included identifying critical success factors, immediate implementation opportunities, exploring options for coordinating and monitoring the pledge's implementation, and future convening. Part 1 Part 2 |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
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| 10:00 – 11:00 |
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Global Climate Action Arena – Al Hur Watch the live webcast of the event on: https://unfccc.int/event/accelerated-partnership-for-renewables-in-africa-apra
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| 18:30 – 20:00 |
| UNFCCC – SE Room 3 Innovation and clean energy for international aviation and shipping |
| 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 A recent IRENA report on Geopolitics of the Energy Transition Critical Materials suggested the lack of a formal structure and the wide geographical reach of artisanal and small-scale mining can result in the extraction, trade, and sale of commodities via unofficial channels. This event discussed multi-stakeholder approaches to strengthening action for preventing and combatting criminal and illegal activities in the mining sector, while promoting sustainable extraction procedures and formalisation in the extractive industry. |
| 17:15 – 18:00 |
| Shift to renewables in South East Europe: NDCs and NECPs as financial roadmaps IRENA, Energy Community Secretariat, Energy Community Contracting Parties, European Union Member States, as well as international financial institutions discussed guiding principles for financing a green transition, focusing on the current opportunities and barriers for renewable energy financing. Discussion included the role of National Determined Contributions and National Energy and Climate Plans in guiding the allocation and mobilisation of financial resources for renewable energy projects, among others. |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| Community-led projects: Transitioning remote communities to renewable energy IRENA, in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples, Coalition for Action, World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), and Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), organised a panel discussion to address the dual challenges of climate change and resource inequality through community energy. The initiative aimed to transition remote communities off diesel by 2030, fostering engagement, sustainability, energy security, and economic well-being. |
| 18:00 – 19:00 |
| Climate impact on renewable resources and rising energy demand IRENA and the WMO collaborated to launch the “2022 Year in review: Climate-driven Global Renewable Energy Potential Resources and Energy Demand” report. This event presented crucial findings and foster discussion on climate change, renewable energies, and energy demand. Additionally, enhancing understanding of climate drivers was discussed, highlighting market adaptation, and emphasising comprehensive energy data collection. |
| 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 At COP28, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and IRENA introduced “Empowering Lives and Livelihoods – Renewables for Climate Action”, an initiative designed to close energy access gaps, focusing on food security, health, gender equality, and job creation. This high-profile event marked the start of the initiative, assembling key participants to tackle issues within the agriculture and health sectors amid the energy transition. |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| Parliamentary Accountability Summit IRENA in collaboration with the Climate Vulnerable Forums Global Parliamentary Group, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Global Renewables Congress convened an Accountability Summit for parliamentarians at COP28. The Summit explored the role of parliamentarians and how governments can promote increased accountability to ensure that the decisions and policies are in place to achieve commitments to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C and scale up climate financing. |
| 18:00 – 19:00 |
| Empowering Lives and Livelihoods: Renewables and entrepreneurship On the occasion of the official launch of the Empowering Lives and Livelihoods initiative at COP28, IRENA organised a reception in collaboration with the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs to highlight the initiative’s focus to connect people and livelihoods through renewable energy solutions in agri-food and health value chains. The reception brought together like-minded people to share each other’s experiences and find common grounds for closely working together. |
| 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 IRENA and the WMO collaborated to launch the “2022 Year in review: Climate-driven Global Renewable Energy Potential Resources and Energy Demand” report. This event presented crucial findings and foster discussion on climate change, renewable energies, and energy demand. Additionally, enhancing understanding of climate drivers was discussed, highlighting market adaptation, and emphasising comprehensive energy data collection. |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| Empowering Lives and Livelihoods: Showcasing opportunities to integrate renewables in agri-food and health value chains To mark the official launch of the Empowering Lives and Livelihoods initiative at COP28, IRENA hosted a reception in partnership with the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs. The event aimed to emphasize the initiative's goal of linking people and livelihoods through renewable energy solutions in agri-food and health value chains, providing an opportunity for like-minded individuals to exchange experiences and explore collaboration opportunities. |
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Energising Africa: Navigating investments in renewable technologies There is a need to support Africa’s energy transformation and climate action to implement transformative actions towards electricity interconnection to enhance security and foster economic integration. In communicating the Agenda 2063 vision of meeting universal access to electricity and sustainable development to high-level decision-makers, including Ministers, wind and solar technology experts, financiers, and project developers attending COP28, the event generated interest for funding and project development support for the realisation of the African Single Electricity Market and the Continental Power Systems Masterplan. |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 18:30 – 22:00 |
| High-level dinner with European industry leaders The EU has ambitious policies and laws in place to reach the net-zero pathway, but Europe’s industry must lead and power the clean energy transition and ensure that it remains competitive globally. The European Commission organised a high-level dinner as a forum for a candid discussion with European industry leaders on accelerating the clean energy transition, making European industry more competitive, and exploring new avenues of cooperation. Francesco La Camera delivered a framing intervention at this event. |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 8:30 – 10:00 |
| Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa This round table aimed to establish a roadmap for future action, uniting government, finance, and the private sector, addressing Africa's insufficient investment in renewable energy. The role of the private sector is crucial, prompting discussions on strategies for African governments to engage and collaborate effectively towards the transition to green energy. |
| 10:15 – 11:30 |
| Accelerating energy transition through project facilitation and partnerships IRENA bolstered its assistance to member countries’ energy transition initiatives, establishing the Project Facilitation and Support Division. The event aimed to highlight the advancements in IRENA’s project facilitation interventions and announce new partnerships for the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) and Climate Investment Platform (CIP). The objectives included boosting funding and de-risking instruments through ETAF to support transformative energy transition projects. |
| 12:00 – 13:30 |
| Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) Ministerial From targets to turbines: Next Steps in offshore wind The Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) Energy Day Ministerial Event aimed to foster dialogue on policy refinement, innovative financing, and skills development in the offshore wind sector, aligning with climate objectives and catalysing finance, investments, and socio-economic benefits. |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:00 – 11:15 |
| Mitigating climate change with 100% renewable energy The IRENA Coalition for Action presented and discussed the recommendations from a Policy Brief: “100% Renewable Energy Scenarios – Supporting Ambitious Policy Targets.” Evaluating global energy scenarios, the brief urged immediate policymaker decisions to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The event examined the challenges and opportunities of ambitious renewable energy targets, emphasising the roles of energy efficiency, electrification, and flexibility. |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| High-level dialogue on project facilitation IRENA's Project Facilitation and Support Division plays a key role in supporting members' energy transition interventions. The panel explored IRENA’s project facilitation roles, seeking to enhance understanding, identify gaps in technical assistance, address capacity building needs, and provide financing and de-risking solutions for ambitious renewable energy targets in member countries. |
| 17:30 – 18:30 |
| Tripling renewable power by 2030: A legislators dialogue IRENA, with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Climate Vulnerable Forum Global Parliamentary Group, and the Global Renewables Congress aimed to foster collaboration among legislators, policymakers, and stakeholders worldwide to strengthen their role in achieving the global target of tripling renewable energy by 2030. This dialogue sought to create understanding, foster alliances, share knowledge, develop action plans, and generate momentum for renewable energy adoption as a pivotal solution to combat climate change. |
| 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 |
| 11:29 – 11:40 |
| Launch of the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) as part of the Marrakesh Partnership event Transitioning to renewable energy is the cornerstone of maintaining a 1.5-degree global warming cap, and at the heart of this transition lies an ambitious yet attainable goal: tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. This must be done as a part of a just transition that leaves no one behind, and that avoids undue social and environmental impacts wherever possible. This event explored key transformative levers in the energy and industry sectors as identified within the Energy and Industry 2030 Breakthroughs and the Sharm el Sheik Adaptation Agenda of the Marrakesh Partnership. |
| 13:30 – 15:00 |
| Al Waha Theatre Small Island Developing States: A Just and Equitable Energy Transition Towards A Climate-Resilient Future SIDS are putting just and equitable energy transition targets at the heart of climate ambition and sustainable development as a matter of survival. IRENA and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in collaboration with COP28 UAE through the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative co-hosted this event to showcase SIDS achievements and progress, share SIDS perspectives on the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund and highlight strategies and support needs to accelerate the deployment of renewables in SIDS. |
| 14:00 – 15:30 |
| COP28 – Renewables and Energy Efficiency Ministerial (Global Pledge) – Al Saih This high-level gathering discussed innovative strategies to accelerate the just transition to renewable energy sources and enhance energy efficiency on a global scale. With a joint commitment to triple the world’s installed renewable energy generation capacity and double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency by 2030, the roundtable aimed to foster international cooperation and drive demonstrable action across critical enablers to harness opportunities and overcome bottlenecks. Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, delivered a scene-setting presentation. |
| 15:00 – 16:00 |
| Marrakech Partnership – Implementation Lab Enablers to tripling renewable power generation by 2030 through a just, financed, and equitable transition |
| 16:30 – 17:30 |
| COP 28 Greening Education Hub Teaching for Net Zero: Educators for the Energy Transition This high-level gathering discussed innovative strategies to accelerate the just transition to renewable energy sources and enhance energy efficiency on a global scale. With a joint commitment to triple the world’s installed renewable energy generation capacity and double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency by 2030, the roundtable aimed to foster international cooperation and drive demonstrable action across critical enablers to harness opportunities and overcome bottlenecks. Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General, delivered a scene-setting presentation. |
| 17:35 – 18:15 |
| UAE Pavilion Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID) CEO Roundtable meeting |
| Global Renewables Hub (Ground floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 12:00 – 13:15 |
| Peer Education for Climate Action: Italy-IRENA Action for Climate Toolkit (I ACT) |
| 14:00 – 15:15 |
| High-Level Roundtable Renewable energy and climate action in the GCC: Achievements, plans and priorities In a high-level roundtable, IRENA brought together Ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as high-level stakeholders from the private sector, the international community and IRENA’s Coalition for Action. Discussion was based on relevant findings of the newly launched IRENA report, Renewable Energy Market: the GCC 2023. A set of policy recommendations prepared by leading investors in the region will complement the event. |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 10:00 – 11:15 |
| Investing in human capital to enable the energy transition Emphasising the crucial role of human capital in achieving the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target, this IRENA and Eni event centred on investing in human capital. Highlighting the Human Capital working group of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization, Eni highlighted a digital platform for instigating cultural change within the energy sector. A panel discussion addressed the scaling up of human capital investments through private-public collaboration. |
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Renewables: How to implement renewable energy capacity in emerging and mature markets Highlighting the progress and commitment to renewable energy deployment in industrial decarbonisation, IRENA brought together leading companies discussing overcoming global challenges in renewable energy (REN) implementation. A panel explored corporate renewable energy sourcing drivers, emphasizing the challenge of certifying true carbon-free electricity consumption and the need for transparent 24/7 carbon-free energy matching to decarbonize regional energy systems. |
| 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 |
| Other Pavilions and Director-General speaking engagements GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 9:35 – 9:55 |
| John Jacob Astor Ballroom, St. Regis on The Palm Jumeirah Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum Meeting the 2030 moment: Raising ambition for clean power development Fireside Chat with Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Masdar As we look to the future, negotiations, and agreements at COP28 may become the defining factor in our progress toward tripling our renewables deployment by 2030. While we remain optimistic, there is still work to be done. The international community must come to the table with tangible strategies for revitalizing their electricity and transmission sectors, strengthening clean energy supply chains, and encouraging private investment in clean energy solutions. The following questions were covered during this session: What are the key announcements that have come from COP28’s energy day? How do you think that these strategies and agreements will be employed in the future? What additional steps must be taken to fulfill our renewable energy goals? |
| 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 This event, in a fishbowl format, brought together all the members of the IRENA Global Council on Enabling Youth Action on SDG7 to enable intergenerational dialogue and showcase current impactful youth actions on the development goal 7: Ensuring access to clean and affordable energy, The event also served as a platform to identify existing and new opportunities for enabling youth action on SDG7 and developing a repository of youth actions and opportunities in the sustainable energy sector. |
| 17:15 – 18:00 |
| Energising the future: Connecting young energy leaders A networking event |
| Global Renewables Hub (First floor) GULF STANDARD TIME (GST) |
|---|
| 16:00 – 17:15 |
| Championing energy transitions through effective regulation Hosted by the Renewable Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA), this IRENA event focused on findings from RETA’s flagship project on “Decarbonisation Mandates for Energy Regulators”. Objectives include accelerating energy transition, enhancing global regulatory collaboration, and promoting equitable energy policies. Outcomes involved establishing a common language, fostering international regulatory cooperation, and promoting equitable regulatory practices for a fair and inclusive clean energy transition. |
| 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” RES4Africa Foundation believes that an empowered African youth can offer innovative solutions and perspectives to the just energy transition, contributing to communities and cities' modernization as well as their environmental, social, and economic development. RES4Africa organised a side event focusing on the pivotal roles of youth and innovation in Africa's growth. The event presented the winners of the "2023 Young Talent of the Year Award", launched a pre-accelerator and accelerator program in the renewable energy sector "RAISEAfrica", followed by a roundtable discussion on empowering youth innovation in the continent. Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General participated in this event. |
| 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 A presentation analysed the investment patterns in renewable energy over the last decade, scrutinising technology, sector, region, and financial sources. Following this, a panel discussion delved into the findings and discussed approaches to improve renewable energy finance in developing economies. The discussion specifically addressed the role of public funds, particularly those involved in international collaborations. |
| 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 The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy defines the pathway for phasing out GHG emissions from international shipping. The event addressed the development of IMO’s global ruleset which will ensure that the shipping industry will meet these targets, and identify concrete collaboration opportunities between the shipping sector and renewable energy production and ports, with a special focus on developing countries. |
| 16:30 – 17:30 |
| WTO Pavillion Launch of WTO-IRENA report on Hydrogen trade |
| 18:30 – 21:00 |
| Extreme Hangout IRENA NewGen Rising Stars Award |
