Two informed officials told Reuters on Thursday that more than 60 countries have announced their support for an agreement led by the European Union, the United States, and the UAE, aimed at tripling renewable energy this decade and moving away from coal usage. The officials stated that the EU, the US, and the UAE are rallying support for this commitment ahead of the annual UN climate conference (COP28) taking place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, and they will call for this commitment to be included in the final outcomes of the international meeting of world leaders on December 2.
According to the officials, several major emerging economies like Nigeria, South Africa, and Vietnam, as well as developed countries such as Australia, Japan, and Canada, along with others like Peru, Chile, Zambia, and Barbados, have indicated they will join the commitment.
According to a draft of the commitment reviewed by Reuters, parties signing it will be required to double the global annual rate of energy efficiency improvements to four percent per year until 2030. The draft states that the use of renewable energy must accompany "the gradual phase-out of unprocessed coal usage," including ending funding for new coal-fired power plants.
One of the officials mentioned to Reuters that negotiations with China and India to join the commitment are "very advanced," although neither country has formally agreed to join yet. Scientists say that both rapid expansion of clean energy usage and swift reductions in fossil fuel combustion, which causes carbon dioxide emissions in the energy sector, are essential if the world wants to avoid more severe and extreme consequences of climate change.
The officials indicated that showing early support for tripling renewable energy and moving away from coal will create momentum and have a positive impact ahead of the intense negotiations expected during the climate conference.
