TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The renewable energy pledge, signed by 118 countries during the COP28 climate summit, aims to triple the world’s green energy capacity to 11,000 GW by 2030.
EXPLANATION:
- This initiative is crucial in reducing reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation.
- The objective is to limit the global average temperature increase, striving to stay below the 2-degree Celsius temperature rise since pre-industrial times, in alignment with the 2015 Paris Agreement goals.
Goals and Implications
- The pledge requires countries to double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements from about 2% to over 4% each year until 2030.
- This ambitious target signifies a collective effort by world governments to mitigate the rise in emissions and shift away from fossil fuel dependency.
- The intention is to contribute to curbing the temperature rise and ideally achieve the more ambitious 1.5-degree Celsius goal set in the Paris Agreement.
Unbinding Nature of the Pledge
- It’s essential to note that while this pledge is a significant indicator of global leaders’ intentions to tackle emissions, it is not legally binding and is not officially part of the COP28 calendar.
- However, it signals a strong commitment to combatting global emissions.
ROLE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN CLIMATE MITIGATION
- Renewable Energy’s Growing Dominance
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that between 2022 and 2027, renewables will constitute over 90% of global electricity capacity expansion.
- Countries like China, the EU, the US, and India are key drivers behind this acceleration, implementing policies, regulatory reforms, and market changes to address the energy crisis.
- Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels
- Solar, wind, hydropower, and biofuels are recognized as the primary future energy sources, even in developing nations.
- The ambitious aim to triple renewable energy by 2050 is expected to significantly diminish reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation.
- Global Efforts and India’s Role
- Various countries are actively increasing their renewable energy capacity.
- India, for instance, is the world’s third-largest renewable energy producer and aims to fulfill 50% of its electricity demands from renewables by 2030, with a net-zero emissions target by 2070.
- However, challenges such as rising costs, labor constraints, and supply chain issues are impeding renewable energy projects globally.
GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION CHALLENGES
- Expanding Renewables Beyond Electricity
- While the electricity sector is experiencing substantial growth in renewables, accounting for only a fifth of global energy consumption, integrating renewable sources into transportation and heating remains a critical challenge in the overall energy transition.
- Hurdles in Renewable Deployment
- Despite the enthusiasm for renewable energy, deployment faces obstacles like rising costs, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions.
- These challenges have resulted in delays and cancellations of projects, causing substantial financial losses for leading developers worldwide.
GEOPOLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND STANDPOINTS
- Initiatives and Opposition
- The pledge spearheaded by the EU, US, and UAE received support from several countries but faced opposition from major coal-dependent nations like India and China.
- These countries expressed concerns about the initiative’s stance on phasing down coal and halting investments in new coal-fired power plants.
- India’s Position
- India, while initially staying away from the initiative due to its implications on coal, had previously supported a G20 commitment to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
- This reflects the complexity of balancing energy transition goals with existing economic dependencies on coal.
CONCLUSION
- The renewable energy pledge at COP28 represents a significant commitment by numerous countries to accelerate the global shift towards renewable energy sources.
- Despite challenges and diverging perspectives, this initiative highlights the urgent need for collaborative efforts to mitigate climate change by transitioning away from fossil fuels.
- However, the practical implementation and overcoming of geopolitical differences pose significant challenges on the road to achieving these ambitious targets.
Related posts
The 14 questions President Murmu has asked the SC
Precision guided long range weapons in Indian military’s arsenal
International Women’s Day 2025