Exclusive: More than 60 countries back deal to triple renewable energy this decade, officials say

WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) – More than 60 countries said they supported a deal led by the European Union, the United States and the United Arab Emirates to triple renewable energy over the decade and to abandon coal, two officials familiar with the matter said. told Reuters on Thursday.

The EU, US and UAE have rallied support for the pledge ahead of the annual UN COP28 climate talks taking place from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, and will call for its inclusion in the final outcome of a gathering of world leaders. on Dec. 2, officials said.

Some large emerging economies like Nigeria, South Africa and Vietnam, developed countries like Australia, Japan and Canada, as well as others like Peru, Chile, Zambia and Barbados, have said they would join that pledge, the officials told Reuters.

A draft pledge, reviewed by Reuters, would also commit those signing it to doubling the global annual rate of improvement in energy efficiency to 4% per year through 2030.

The draft states that greater use of renewable energy must be accompanied by a “phased reduction of coal-fired power”, including ending funding for new coal-fired power plants.

One of the officials told Reuters that negotiations with China and India to adhere to the commitment were “quite advanced”, although neither had yet agreed to adhere to it.

Scientists say both actions – rapidly expanding clean energy and rapidly reducing the burning of CO2-emitting fossil fuels in the electricity sector – are vital if the world is to avoid more severe climate change.

Officials said an initial show of support for a tripling of renewable energy and a shift away from coal would build momentum and set a positive tone ahead of the tense days of negotiations expected at the climate conference.

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