An open letter from the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), backed by over 100 international organizations and companies, is calling on world leaders to set ambitious, specific, and actionable renewable energy targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations. The letter, titled “Now Deliver Change”, urges swift action to meet global renewable energy goals and ensure the transition away from fossil fuels.

The letter highlights the importance of revising NDCs in line with commitments made at COP28. This emphasizes that immediate action is essential to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and maintain the 1.5-degree climate target.

Among the companies supporting the letter are Amazon, Adani, Fortescue, Iberdrola, and SSE. Supporting organizations include the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Climate Group, and We Mean Business Coalition. The letter stresses the need for national targets that provide market certainty to encourage private sector investment. This has historically accounted for over 80% of renewable energy investment.

“Clear and ambitious NDCs offer long-term policy certainty at the national level, reduce investment risks, and encourage private sector participation. The world now needs speed, scale, and quality of action to achieve the 3xRenewables target by 2030,” said Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance.

National targets

The letter calls for NDCs to set national targets that are:

• Ambitious: Aligned with the 1.5°C climate goal and COP28 commitments.

• Specific: Including quantifiable renewable energy capacity targets for 2030 and 2035.

• Actionable: Supported by robust energy, resource, and investment plans.

In addition, the letter underscores the need for global targets on grid infrastructure and energy storage. Both are critical for a successful renewable energy transition. Without modern grids and increased storage capacity, the growth of renewable energy will be limited.

“World leaders must capture this unique opportunity. Setting bold and measurable renewable energy goals in NDCs is not only essential to meeting climate targets but also to unlocking the economic potential and benefits of the global clean energy transition. Renewables can deliver millions of jobs and secure, clean, affordable energy to the global population,” added Douglas.

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, endorsed the call for strengthened NDCs. He stated: “We can no longer afford delays or generic statements, nor can we expect others to lead or take action. The overwhelming support by leaders at the Global Renewables Summit and to the Open Letter clearly shows that the world assembles behind the global target of tripling renewables by 2030.”

Catherine McKenna, Chair of the UN High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments, also stressed the urgency of action: “World leaders must back their commitment to the Global Stocktake with decisive action in their national climate plans (NDCs). These NDCs need specific, actionable targets to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and phase out fossil fuels… The time to act is now.”

The letter was unveiled at the Global Renewables Summit. Here, global leaders are gathering to push forward the renewable energy agenda.

About the Global Renewables Alliance

The Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) represents the leading international industry players and provides a unified renewable energy voice. Comprised of founding members the Global Wind Energy Council, the Global Solar Council, the International Hydropower Association, the International Geothermal Association, the Long Duration Energy Storage Council and the Green Hydrogen Organisation, the Alliance aims to increase ambition and accelerate the uptake of renewable energy across the world.

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