Asian economies are set to face increased pressure to reduce coal usage and enhance their renewable energy targets following a pledge by nearly 120 nations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. This agreement, described by the International Energy Agency as a crucial step to reduce carbon emissions, was supported by countries including Australia, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh.
While participating nations are not mandated to individually triple their domestic renewable power, they are expected to take substantial actions contributing to this global goal. The initiative aims to accommodate varying starting points, national circumstances, and regional realities.
Notably, India and China, two significant coal-dependent nations, did not sign the agreement. However, they have separately declared intentions to commit to global targets aligning with the 2015 Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
To reach the set target of tripling renewable energy, the world needs to achieve 11,000 gigawatts of renewable energy, with solar and wind power contributing the majority of the additional capacity. A report by climate think tank Ember indicates that this target is achievable, though it requires an average annual growth rate of 17% in renewables deployment.
Countries like Australia, Japan, and South Korea have been urged to increase their efforts to meet ambitious renewable targets. However, transitioning away from coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, remains a challenge for these economies.
China is on track to double its renewable capacity by 2030, and countries like India, Indonesia, and the Philippines are aiming to more than triple their renewable capacities by the same year. Southeast Asian countries are also expected to surpass the 2030 target due to their currently low capacity and untapped potential.
For developing economies with ambitious targets, the focus is on accelerating the deployment and construction of necessary infrastructure. Expanding and modernizing domestic power grids is crucial to manage the variable output of renewable sources. Additionally, the global financial architecture must be reformed to support the energy transition in developing countries, with increased development finance and a shift of public capital from fossil fuels to renewable sources.
Regulatory measures to incentivize the adoption of green energy, building resilient supply chains for equipment, and developing a skilled workforce are also essential. This global pledge is seen as a call to action for Asian governments to facilitate a just and comprehensive transition to renewable energy compatible with the 1.5°C target.
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