Despite record-breaking renewable energy deployment in 2024, the world remains off track to meet the COP28 UAE Consensus target of tripling global capacity by 2030, according to a new progress report launched by IRENA, the COP30 Brazilian Presidency, and the Global Renewables Alliance.
The report, Delivering on the UAE Consensus, reveals that while 582GW of capacity was added globally last year, annual additions must now more than double to 1,122GW from 2025 onwards to stay aligned with the 11.2TW target. Energy efficiency is also lagging, with global energy intensity improving by just 1% – well short of the 4% annual improvement needed to keep the 1.5°C climate goal within reach.
The report urges governments to:
- Embed renewable targets into updated national climate plans (NDC 3.0) ahead of COP30 in Belém
- Double collective ambition to align with global goals
- Scale annual investment in renewables to at least US$1.4 trillion from 2025–2030
“The clean energy revolution is unstoppable,” warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “But the window to keep the 1.5°C limit within reach is rapidly closing. We must step up, scale up and speed up the just energy transition – for everyone, everywhere.”
“The world has broken renewable capacity records, but records alone will not keep 1.5°C alive,” said Francesco La Camera of IRENA. “This report shows the path: accelerate deployment, modernise grids, scale clean-tech and strengthen supply chains.”
