Governments action
Renewable power is already the cheapest energy solution in two-thirds of the world. However, achieving a 1.5 °C pathway requires construction of twice as much wind and solar globally in the coming eight years as the entire amount constructed throughout history.
At the same time inaction in some regions is causing costly delays to the global green power revolution.
To unlock the private sector’s ability to deliver at the required scale, governments must:
1.
Set short- and long-term targets for deploying renewable energy
A solid pipeline of solar and wind projects and a transparent market framework will reduce the cost of capital and send a strong signal for the renewable energy industry to invest.
2.
Make land and seabeds available faster
To deploy renewables, space on land and at sea is needed urgently, including through marine spatial planning and site allocation on land, taking account of biodiversity and other sea uses.
3.
Streamline consenting processes, allowing coexistence with other sea uses
Planning permission must be faster and more predictable, whilst continuing to ensure that the environment is protected, so that offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, and the new transmission infrastructure needed to bring this power to our homes and businesses are approved fairly and transparently without undue and costly delay.
4.
Modernise electricity grids
Energy storage, transmission, and distribution must be modernised, so that they better match supply and demand, incorporate renewables into the grid more quickly, and allow the integration of innovative solutions like green hydrogen and battery storage
5.
Green public procurement
Public procurement amounts to ~ 13 % of global GDP. Integrating climate criteria and global corporate climate standards in public tenders can help ensure a sustainable build-out of renewables.