As part of its ongoing efforts to drive more ambitious climate action, the COP29 presidency has crafted a comprehensive plan aimed at delivering meaningful progress. This plan, designed to bolster both commitment and tangible outcomes, includes clear next steps on how to implement the results of the Global Stocktake (GST).

In a significant announcement, the COP29 presidency, in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA), revealed five key opportunities that will shape the discussions at COP29. These opportunities focus on advancing energy goals that were first outlined at COP28, and they are crucial for the continued momentum of the global energy transition.

The first opportunity centers on the need to scale up energy storage and electricity grids. By enhancing these technologies, countries can better support the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 and ensure that the full benefits of renewables are realised across the globe.

The second opportunity calls for nations to accelerate policy implementation in order to achieve the ambitious target of doubling energy efficiency progress by the end of the decade. This is seen as a critical piece of the puzzle in reducing emissions and meeting climate goals.

The third opportunity stresses the importance of maintaining a sharp focus on reducing methane and fossil fuel emissions. Continued efforts in this area are essential to curbing the most potent greenhouse gases and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The fourth opportunity highlights the need for solutions that can boost clean energy investment in developing economies. This is seen as vital to supporting their transitions to greener energy systems, ensuring that no country is left behind in the global effort to combat climate change.

Finally, the presidency emphasized that the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) should be directly informed by the outcomes of the Global Stocktake, ensuring that nations are building on the most up-to-date assessments of their climate progress.

The presidency called on a broad coalition of stakeholders—including countries, business leaders, civil society groups, financial institutions, and international organisations—to rally behind these opportunities. The goal is to make significant strides toward a just and equitable energy transition for all, a vision that will be a central focus at COP29.

Source: COP29 website