Over 100 Countries Unite in Historic Pledge, Elevating Solar Power to Lead the Energy Transition
In a historic move, over 100 countries have achieved unprecedented consensus to significantly elevate ambitions in the renewables sector, sending a resounding market signal that solar and wind energy are unstoppable forces in the global energy transition, said Global Solar Council CEO Sonia Dunlop in a statement.
She added, While the past decade witnessed efforts to boost renewables at the national level, the latest agreement on a global scale marks a monumental triumph for the renewable energy industry. The commitment to set ambitious targets signifies a pivotal moment in the history of renewables, with solar power emerging as a key driver in this transformative journey.
However, stakeholders emphasize that this is just the initial stride on a more extended path. Advocates stress the need for legally binding actions and accountability to reinforce the power of the ambitious pledge. World leaders are urged not to consider their job complete with the pledge’s signing but to take the crucial next step by incorporating a global target to triple renewable energy capacity in the final COP documents.
Solar power, hailed as the fastest to deploy, fastest growing, and most cost-competitive renewable energy source, is poised to play a central role in driving the energy transition. Analysts project that solar can easily meet the ambitious 11 TW target, maintaining a robust average year-on-year growth rate of 17%.
With the right support, solar alone could deliver nearly 8 TW of clean energy capacity by 2030—more than double the current installed energy capacity of both China and the US combined. This highlights the pivotal role solar power can play in decarbonization efforts and keeping the world on a 1.5°C pathway.
The message from experts is clear: the faster countries scale up solar initiatives, the better chance they have of lowering energy bills, mitigating climate change impacts, and improving the well-being of citizens. Failure to tap into solar’s full potential could deprive nations of jobs, hinder economic development, and compromise energy security.
In the wake of this historic pledge, the focus now shifts to action and accountability. While ambition sets the tone, tangible steps and responsibility are crucial to ensuring that solar power becomes the linchpin of a cleaner and sustainable energy system for years to come. As the sun reliably rises and sets every day, advocates urge harnessing its power to forge a new era of clean energy.