HLPF Side Event: Harnessing energy transformation for a sustainable recovery

Webinar

The social and economic crises set off by the COVID-19 pandemic bring unprecedented challenges. In response, governments around the world are adopting economic recovery and stimulus packages unparalleled in scale. Renewable energy plays a key role in the immediate response to COVID-19 by powering essential services such as health and water, as well as in the medium- and long-term response by providing a range of socio-economic benefits, including economic growth, and jobs. It is thus essential to ensure that energy transition is included in stimulus measures and economic recovery packages.

In this context, the newly released report of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) The Post-COVID Recovery: An agenda for resilience, development and equality outlines how the inclusion of the energy transitions in stimulus plans for the next three years (2021-2023) can support economic recovery and job creation. It also includes specific policy measures in the short and a mid-term to 2030 to drive the structural shift needed to achieve global sustainable development objectives and long-term decarbonisation imperatives. The report builds on the comprehensive long-term energy transformation strategy provided by IRENA’s first Global Renewables Outlook, which shows how to transform the global energy system by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement.

Now, more than ever, public policies and investment decisions need to align with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Making this happen requires a broad policy package - one that tackles energy, climate and environmental goals hand in hand with socio-economic challenges at every level. One example of such long-term policies is the European Green Deal which is Europe’s growth model for sustainable and inclusive economy and for meeting its commitment to climate neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, a number of countries around the world have also put in place ambitious long-term policies and objectives to accelerate energy transformation and climate action, in synergy with the pursuit of economic and industrial transformation strategies.

About the side-event

This side-event discussed the contribution of energy transformation to better recovery, while ensuring an inclusive and just transition in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. Questions that were addressed include:

  • How can renewable energy support a better recovery?
  • How can recovery packages and stimulus measures accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future?
  • Which policies and measures help achieve a just energy transition in the short-term and medium to longer term?
  • How can IRENA support countries in harnessing energy transition for a sustainable recovery that creates jobs and fosters economic growth?
  • How to mobilize investments in developing countries through initiatives such as the Climate Investment Platform?

This was an official side-event of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.

See the agenda and presentation slide deck, or contact Sofja Giljova for more details.