Over 60 nations support the agreement to quadruple renewable energy by the year 2020

 Over 60 nations support the agreement to quadruple renewable energy by the year 2020

If the world wants to prevent more catastrophic climate change, scientists warn that both fast increasing renewable energy and swiftly lowering the combustion of CO2-emitting fossil fuels in the power sector are essential.

Prior to the UN's annual COP28 climate discussions, which will take place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, the EU, US, and UAE have been energizing support for the commitment. The officials said that they would demand its inclusion in the final agreement at a meeting of global leaders on December 2. Picture: Reuters

Two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters on November 9 that more than 60 nations have stated their support for an agreement to treble renewable energy this decade and move away from coal, which is being led by the United States, United Arab Emirates, and European Union.

Prior to the UN's annual COP28 climate discussions, which will take place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, the EU, US, and UAE have been energizing support for the commitment. The officials said that they would demand its inclusion in the final agreement at a meeting of global leaders on December 2.

According to the officials speaking with Reuters, a number of affluent nations, including Australia, Japan, and Canada, as well as several significant developing economies, such South Africa, Vietnam, Peru, Chile, Zambia, and Barbados, have announced their intention to sign the commitment.

According to a draft of the commitment seen by Reuters, signatories would also be required to double the global rate of annual energy efficiency growth to 4 percent by 2030.

The draft states that "the phase down of unabated coal power," which includes halting the funding of new coal-fired power plants, must go hand in hand with increased usage of renewable energy sources.

Talks to join the promise are "quite advanced," one of the officials told Reuters, but neither country has committed to do so yet.

If the world wants to prevent more catastrophic climate change, scientists warn that both fast increasing renewable energy and swiftly lowering the combustion of CO2-emitting fossil fuels in the power sector are essential.

An early demonstration of support for doubling renewable energy and shifting away from coal, according to the officials, would generate momentum and establish a good tone ahead of the anticipated days of intense discussions at the climate summit.