The Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA), an initiative to accelerate the transition to clean energy globally, has been launched at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The GCPA, which was unveiled by UK prime minister Keir Starmer in partnership with with the US and European Union, has already signed up a number of countries including Brazil, Australia, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Morocco, Norway and Tanzania, as well as the African Union.
By working together, the alliance is seeking to achieve the COP28 goals of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency worldwide.
Finance Mission
Its first ‘mission’, which is being led by Brazil and the UK, is the ‘Finance Mission’, which will focus on ‘unlocking private finance on a huge scale, so that no developing country is left behind’.
“The UK is already leading the way in the clean power transition – we’ve phased out coal power, lifted the ban on onshore wind and launched GB Energy – but we will not stop there,” Starmer commented on the new initiative. “We want our clean energy ambitions to go global, so it is fantastic news that multiple other countries are now on board with the UK-led Global Clean Power Alliance.
“I will restore the UK’s role as a climate leader on the world stage – and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make sure we face up to the climate crisis head-on, while delivering more jobs, growth and prosperity for people across the entire planet.”
Starmer pointed to the recently-installed government’s sustainability efforts since taking office, including lifting the de facto ban on onshore wind, pledging to end new oil and gas licences and launching the new national clean power company GB Energy.
‘Efficient renewable energy’
Elsewhere, Jennifer Layke, global energy director at the World Resources Institute, said that the GCPA can play a role in “[speeding] the world towards a future powered by efficient renewable energy. To be truly transformational, the Global Clean Power Alliance must prompt more new funding, improve and consolidate existing initiatives, and establish greater transparency for tracking renewable energy deployment.
“It’s critical that the alliance take a comprehensive approach by promoting not only renewables but also energy storage, efficient electrification and encouraging both on-grid and distributing solutions. Done well, this effort can play an important role in accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels while improving people’s lives, reducing energy poverty and creating green jobs.” Read more here.
