IRENA at COP30

Official Pavillion Opening

Bridging Generations for a Just Energy Transition: from Local Action to Global Policy

This interactive roundtable facilitates global knowledge exchange of transformative youth-led initiatives tackling energy access, policy innovation, and technology deployment through decentralised solutions in the Global South. Young leaders will showcase best practices while discussing financing strategies, partnerships, and capacity building to scale projects and triple renewable capacity, elevating youth perspectives in delivering the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda.

Showcase of Highlighted Results & Solutions - Accelerating Grids Finance: Planning, Principles and Policy Solutions

(Location: Thematic Hub, COP 30 Green Zone)

The session, co-organised by UNEZA, GGI, IRENA, GCEP, and SBCOP, forms part of the Showcase of Highlighted Results & Solutions at COP30. It will highlight key actions to accelerate grid financing and planning. UNEZA will present new investment commitments and mechanisms to scale renewable and grid investments, while GGI will present endorsement of its Climate Finance Principles for Grids, advancing a harmonised approach to financing transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Geothermal Energy: Powering a Resilient and Decarbonized Energy Future

Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs and IRENA, through the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) will convene a dialogue to advance geothermal deployment worldwide. Stakeholders will explore pathways for harnessing geothermal as source of 24/7 clean power and direct heat use across agriculture, heating, cooling, and tourism. Participants will discuss opportunities, challenges, and learn from global projects to accelerate deployment aligned with GGA's 2030 goals.

High-Level Event: Tracking Progress Toward Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030

Co-hosted by IRENA, GRA and Brazil's COP30 Presidency, this high-level gathering unites public and private sector leaders to assess global progress and chart pathways for tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Result-oriented discussions will explore critical COP30 agreements needed to accelerate energy transition and identify enablers for scaling investment to achieve Paris Agreement goals under the UAE Consensus.

Fast-Tracking a Just Energy Transition Through Sustainable Biofuels Production

(Location: GBA Pavillion)

Renewable Energy for Remote Communities: Transforming Lives in the Amazon

(Canada Pavillion)

Co-organised by IRENA, the Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet (GEAPP), and National Resources Canada (NRCan), this session explores decentralised renewable energy for remote Amazon communities. Aligned with IRENA's Global Initiative and GEAPP's Universal Access Coalition, participants will examine deployment and maintenance approaches that meet energy demands and improve well-being by powering healthcare, education, and livelihoods.

This joint IRENA and REN21 dialogue explores structural transformations in finance, industry, and policy needed for resilient, equitable renewables-based economies. Examining systemic change across innovation, investment, and inclusive development, participants will discuss collaboration and systems planning to bridge structural gaps in developing and emerging economies, drawing on regional experiences that are reshaping development models.

Tripling renewable capacity demands a skilled workforce. Launching a global Call to Action on Skilling for Energy Transition, this initiative drives international cooperation on education and training. Stakeholders from governments, industry, education, and labour will share commitments to accelerate workforce development. Participants will build awareness of the global skills landscape, identify promising initiatives for replication, and leverage collective expertise to scale action across borders.

Co-organised by ENACT (Energy Action Partners), the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), and IRENA, this panel explores how decentralised energy resources, mini-grids, and community-led systems serve as core components of resilient power systems in Southeast Asia. Examining modular, interconnection-ready solutions aligned with ASEAN's APAEC strategy and Power Grid vision, participants will showcase Indigenous-led models and bottom-up innovation while engaging stakeholders with actionable policy and finance pathways for climate-resilient futures.

Powering System Change: Co-creating a Net-Zero Future

(China Pavillion)

Bringing together officials from IRENA, CATL, UN, and China, the event advances dialogue on achieving net-zero futures. It features the launch of IRENA's Coalition for Action report, Key Enablers for the Energy Transition: Solar and Storage, highlighting energy storage's pivotal role in integrating renewables alongside discussions on zero-carbon technologies, circular economy models, and innovation.

This leadership dialogue will launch the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA)'s Energy Storage and Grids Report, highlighting global progress and recommendations for net-zero power systems. Participants will outline strategic directions for implementing the UNEZA Roadmap to 2030, announcing collective targets to increase renewable capacity to 1,150 GW by 2030 and invest over USD 157 billion annually in renewables, grids, and storage to accelerate grid modernisation and renewable integration worldwide.

Ministerial: Accelerating Action on Grids and Storage: Planning, Finance, Principles and Policy Solutions

(SE Room 3)

This high-level session, co-organised by the European Commission, Brazil, IEA, IRENA, UNEZA, GCEP, SEforALL, GGI, and supported by UNDP, will assess global progress toward tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. UNEZA will present its Global Infrastructure Programme, mobilising a USD 1 trillion project pipeline to strengthen grid infrastructure and enable large-scale renewable integration. The programme aims to advances electrification in the Global South through coordinated investment and de-risking measures that turn political momentum into practical implementation.

High-level Event: Global Offshore Wind Stocktake

Accelerating Zero & Low Emission Technologies in Hard-to-Abate Sectors

The Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID) will host a high-level event to present progress in industrial decarbonisation and launch its new Emissions Portal, a platform to track and share members’ emission data and reduction efforts. AFID will also update its Decarbonization Commitment, highlighting collective progress and next steps. Leaders from industry, government, and technology providers will gather to explore innovative solutions and cross-sectoral actions driving deep decarbonisation in energy-intensive industries.

Energy with Equity: Centering Gender and Community for a Just and Resilient Transition

Showcasing how governments, private sector, and international institutions advance gender-responsive policies bridging inclusion, climate ambition, and social impact, this session draws on examples from Tunisia, Egypt, Brazil, and beyond. Speakers interviewed by a woman from Scatec's empowerment programmes will demonstrate how gender equality improves project performance and community resilience. Participants will identify replicable models and practical steps to scale inclusive measures in recruitment, leadership, and financing for a just energy transition.

Showcase of Highlighted Results & Solutions

(Location TBC)

AFID, alongside the Climate Club, Industrial Transitions Accelerator (ITA), and LeadIT, will co-organise this session to showcase latest contributions to industrial decarbonisation. These include the green hydrogen clusters report, aluminium report, and launch of the AFID Emission Reporting Portal. The session will present joint decarbonisation targets and highlight collaborative solutions driving low- and near-zero emission technologies in hard-to-abate sectors.

Youth Diplomacy as a Bridge Between Africa and MENA

Positioning youth leaders as diplomatic connectors between Africa and MENA, this high-level dialogue forges cross-regional partnerships to mobilise finance, policy reform, and innovation for the energy transition. Youth councils, policymakers, and development partners will showcase South-South collaboration through panel discussions that build trust and scale. Participants will develop concrete recommendations for Africa-MENA cooperation and establish a Youth Diplomacy Dialogue Series in 2025.

Plan to Accelerate Electrification Solutions

(Location TBC)

Co-organised by UNEZA and AFID, this roundtable forms part of the Plan to Accelerate Electrification Solutions under Axis 1 of the COP30 Action Agenda, led by the Brazilian COP Presidency and Climate Champions. As Action Group members, UNEZA and AFID will jointly advance electrification solutions contributing to tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency. Policymakers, utilities, industries, and technology providers will identify concrete policy, financing, and regulatory actions to accelerate electrification and ensure coordinated progress toward the 2028 Global Stocktake.

Decentralized Energy for Reducing Emissions and Increasing Economy Productivity

Young people are catalysts for climate action, translating awareness into grassroots initiatives. This session will showcase youth-led innovations globally, discussing technical integration toward achieving targets. Participants will explore multi-stakeholder pathways including government, academia, Indigenous communities, civil society, and private sector to ensure inclusivity. The dialogue aims to inspire commitments and partnerships that scale up emission reductions and economic activities.

Agrivoltaics and Decentralized Renewables: Bridging Mitigation, Adaptation and Climate Resilience in Food Systems

Exploring how agrivoltaics and decentralised renewable energy drive mitigation, adaptation, and resilience in agri-food systems, this roundtable examines enabling frameworks and financing models to unlock investment. Participants will discuss cross-sectoral policies and showcase community-driven, youth-led approaches that anchor local ownership. The session builds alignment among public, private, and civil society actors for integrating renewables into agriculture and food security strategies.

Mini-Grids for Climate Adaptation, Mitigation, and Resilience (SEforAll)

Sustainable energy for all (SEforAll)'s Mini Grid Partnerships (MGP) convenes a high-level panel spotlighting mini-grids' triple benefits: climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Experts, policymakers, and financiers will present evidence from global examples, advocating for inclusion in the Global Grids Action Agenda. Participants will explore cross-sectoral integration opportunities and financing pathways to strengthen vulnerable communities and fragile grid systems.

Energy Transition Skills, Innovation, and Capacity Exchange: Building a Collaborative Ecosystem for Young People to Accelerate the Energy Transition

This interactive forum enables young people to exchange insights on renewable energy solutions, share innovations and research, and discuss skills gaps. Direct engagement with IRENA experts, governments, and private sector stakeholders will enhance youth integration into the energy transition. Serving as a capacity-building platform, the session culminates in a joint policy brief documenting recommendations for inclusive workforce development.