With COP28 happening in Dubai, the urgency to address the escalating climate crisis has never been more palpable. In this pivotal moment, 350.org is at the forefront, urging global leaders to embrace a binding energy package that not only sets ambitious goals but also charts a course for a comprehensive and just transition to renewable energy.

Setting the Stage for a Transformative Energy Package:

The discourse put forth by 350.org calls for a paradigm shift at COP28, one that involves committing to a robust and binding energy package. At the heart of this proposal are ambitious targets:

• Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity: The call to triple fair, safe, and clean renewable energy capacity by 2030, with a subsequent deployment of 1.5 terawatts per year, marks a watershed moment in our commitment to combating climate change.
• Doubling Energy Efficiency: Recognizing the intrinsic link between efficiency and sustainability, the proposal to double energy efficiency by 2030 represents a pivotal step towards optimizing communities’ access to affordable and clean energy.
• Phasing Out Fossil Fuels: The unequivocal call for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels by 2050 signals a paradigm shift in our energy paradigm, emphasizing a commitment to a sustainable future.

The Urgency of a Global Renewable Energy Target:

As climate experts warn that 2023 could be the hottest year on record, the significance of adhering to the 1.5°C global heating limit cannot be overstated. 350.org emphasizes that a global renewable energy target is not merely symbolic; it is a practical necessity. However, the success of such a target hinges on its swift implementation at a global scale, coupled with a commitment to equity. A mere proclamation will not suffice – tangible actions are imperative. 

Navigating Financial Barriers to a Sustainable Future:

Andreas Sieber, 350.org’s Associate Director of Global Policy, brings to light the financial complexities that have long hindered the transition to renewable energy, especially in the Global South. Sieber proposes a multi-faceted approach, including debt cancellation, significant concessional finance, and grants to the tune of $200 billion per year. This financial backing is not charity but an essential investment in a just, equitable and sustainable future.

“A renewable energy target at COP28 will only constitute a meaningful step towards climate justice if it is accompanied by a clear roadmap for implementation that includes equitable mechanisms and commitments in the financial and policy realms, as well as an urgent and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels. Without these, any agreement would represent a hollow, ‘easy win’, and risk allowing polluting countries to hide behind a renewables goal while continuing to emit fossil fuels.” Andreas Sieber, 350.org’s Associate Director of Global Policy

May Boeve, Executive Director of 350.org, underscores the concept of climate justice, asserting that a global renewable energy target should be coupled with commitments to finance a just transition. This involves acknowledging the historical disparities and ensuring that the transition away from fossil fuels is both rapid and equitable.

“COP28 presents an opportunity for a long overdue course correction: a global renewable energy target, poised for adoption, is a crucial step towards limiting global heating to below 1.5 degrees. However, it must come with commitments to finance the just transition in the Global South and a rapid, equitable phase out of fossil fuels. 350.org is at COP28 to ensure climate justice is centered in the negotiations, and working with movement partners on the ground, to ensure the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis take center stage.”  May Boeve, Executive Director of 350.org

Voices from the Frontlines:

In a poignant addition to the narrative, Landry Ninteretse, Regional Director of 350Africa.org, highlights the voices of communities directly impacted by the climate crisis. For these communities, a shift to renewable energy is not a distant goal but an immediate necessity. Ninteretse’s call for wealthier nations to expedite their commitment to scaling up renewable energy investments and supporting the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030 amplifies the urgency of the situation.

“For communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, an equitable global shift away from fossil fuels to safe and sustainable renewable energy is an absolute necessity, as they have felt the catastrophic climate impacts for decades. At COP 28, we expect leaders to commit to significantly scaling up investment in renewable energy and supporting plans for the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030, while prioritizing the phase-out of fossil fuels. Wealthy nations must respond with the scale and urgency that matches the escalating climate crisis by delivering on a clear plan for climate adaptation finance, loss and damage and enhancing the support for African countries to undertake nationally determined just transition pathways.”

Ensuring the success of COP28’s proposed energy package requires a multi-faceted approach. Additionally, the organization stresses the importance of relying solely on proven renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar, to guarantee the effectiveness of the proposed measures.