Global High-Level Forum on Energy Transition: Science and raising ambition towards COP 26

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Countries are increasingly making ambitious and far-reaching commitments to climate action, with over 130 announcing or actively considering net zero emission strategies by mid-century. This has renewed the political momentum to accelerate the energy transition, including through nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and long-term low emissions development strategies (LTS).

The speed of change, however, is still far from what is needed to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5°C.

During the annual meeting of the IRENA Assembly, member states underscored the urgency to intensify and strengthen international cooperation and take action on energy transitions. The Assembly thus established the Global High-Level Forum on Energy Transition under the umbrella of IRENA as the sole energy agency open to all UN member states and regional intergovernmental economic integration organisations.

The Forum is envisaged as a dynamic platform where Governments, intergovernmental entities, academia, private companies and their association, trade Unions, non-Governmental Organisations, concerned entities may conduct open discussion for international cooperation and collective action to: (i) lead the global discourse on energy transition; (ii) promote common initiatives to accelerate energy transition worldwide; (iii) share experiences and follow up on important global events such as UN-HLDE and COP 26; (iv) guide future research and analysis to promote solutions for a sustainable energy system; and (v) undertake other activities as deemed appropriate by IRENA Members.

This 1^st special edition of the Forum was held on 30 June 2021 in a virtual format. The Forum provided for a High-Level discussion on the relation between science and raising ambition in the light of the ongoing processes and explore actions to accelerate a just, inclusive and systemic energy transition.

In addition, the Forum marked the release of the complete edition of IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook, which provided input into the Forum discussions. WETO 2021 comprises the 1.5°C climate-safe energy transition scenario, socio-economic impacts of this pathway, and policy recommendations and financing sources for its achievement.