The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) concluded last week with a strong global push toward translating climate commitments into tangible action. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), alongside international partners and allies, played a pivotal role in showcasing practical pathways to advance just, inclusive, and accelerated energy transitions worldwide.
At the heart of its COP30 engagement, IRENA hosted the Global Renewables Hub in partnership with the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA). The pavilion served as a vibrant meeting point for governments, industry leaders, civil society, and experts, enabling rich dialogue on renewable deployment, investment flows, and collaborative strategies to meet global climate targets.
A key highlight of the conference was the launch of Global Landscape of Energy Transition Finance 2025, which reported a new milestone of USD 2.4 trillion in energy transition investments in 2024. However, the data revealed a pressing challenge: the majority of these investments remain concentrated in advanced economies, underscoring the urgent need to channel greater financial support to emerging and developing countries.
In a high-level bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera reviewed global progress toward the UAE Consensus targets — including tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. He reaffirmed IRENA’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, scaling up transition finance, and supporting countries in meeting these historic goals.
IRENA also unveiled its Regional Energy Transition Outlook for South America, which maps out substantial opportunities for economic expansion, energy security, and innovation through integrated regional cooperation. According to the report, South America could create more than 12 million energy-sector jobs by 2050 while significantly boosting GDP through large-scale renewable investment.
Another major announcement came from the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA), an IRENA-facilitated coalition representing the world’s leading power utilities. UNEZA committed to nearly USD 150 billion in annual investments, with a strong emphasis on grid upgrades and flexible infrastructure — key components for accommodating the rapid expansion of renewables.
With COP30 now concluded, IRENA continues to drive global dialogue on climate ambition, mobilize investments, and support member countries in turning targets into actionable pathways. The Agency’s data, insights, and initiatives remain central to the world’s collective efforts to deliver a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive clean energy future.
