WWEA @ COP29: pushes to develop 100% renewable energy strategy beyond tripling renewables

Bonn/Baku, 21 November 2024 (WWEA) – The World Wind Energy Association has participated actively in the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku and sent a strong signal to the negotiating countries to focus on an entirely renewable energy future.

WWEA held an official COP29 side event Renewable Energy Transformation: from Tripling to 100% Renewable Energy In collaboration with the World Bioenergy Association and the Confederation of the Indian Industry. The side event highlighted the need to develop strategies beyond tripling renewable power capacities by 2030. The world should pave the way for a 100% renewable energy supply which benefits likewise people and businesses. It will be of crucial importance that the economic advantages of this transformation become effective to all sectors of societies. Dr. Karunamoorthy Neethimani, member of the WWEA Strategy Committee and IWPA Treasurer, highlighted this in the case of India, which has set ambitious targets and may still need to improve some policies. 

On the occasion COP29, the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA has launched a new white paper “Community Energy Benefits: Powering Universal Wellbeing”. The launch session was moderated by Dr. Karunamoorthy Neethimani. The white paper has been worked out by the working group “Empowering People & Communities” of the IRENA Coalition for Action which is co-chaired by WWEA Secretary General Stefan Gsänger.

Stefan Gsänger says: "Once again we see not enough progress at COP29, but real and effective action is already happening on the ground. Citizens, communities, small and large businesses have already started to transform the world's energy supply to renewable energy. The countries now meeting in Baku should seize the opportunity to help people around the world understand the huge opportunities that renewable energy offers them. The IRENA White Paper makes this very clear and describes how governments can support such bottom-up action.”

WWEA President Dr. Irfan Mirza: “At WWEA, we believe that the transformation towards renewable energy must benefit everyone—from local communities to global enterprises – and we will continue advocating for policies that support citizens, create economic opportunities, and ensure sustainable development worldwide. Our work is far from over, COP29 doesn’t commit 100% renewable energy roadmap but with the enthusiasm and determination demonstrated by the participants, we are confident that a fully renewable future is within reach. Let's keep the momentum going and ensure that the voices of communities are front and center in the global energy transition.”

The white paper “Community Energy Benefits: Powering Universal Wellbeing” describes the social, economic and environmental benefits of community energy as well as how to to increase finance for community energy and how to gain strong social support for the energy transformation in general. It concludes with a set of policy recommendations:

Community ownership and citizen engagement should be given more prominence in national and regional development, energy plans, policy frameworks and targets. Renewable energy projects should be designed to maximise well-being and socio-economic benefits. More needs to be done to generate agency in all citizens through awareness raising, capacity building, and participatory and inclusive approaches. A gender lens should be applied to enable inclusive decision-making and empower women in energy leadership roles. Direct support, technical assistance and funding should be facilitated to enable community energy in areas with the greatest need. Recognising the social value of community energy, it is crucial to facilitate innovative financing options that de-risk projects and lower the cost of capital. Community energy should be an integral part of local energy security, climate adaptation and resilience strategies. Community knowledge should be leveraged to ensure that the environmental impacts of renewable energy projects are minimal. Collaboration, knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices can further support community energy initiatives. 

The IRENA white paper can be downloaded from: https://coalition.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Coalition-for-Action/Publication/IRENA_Coalition_Community_energy_benefits_wellbeing_2024.pdf