During the 80th UN General Assembly on September 23, representatives from 193 countries participated in the General Debate in New York. Brazil and 16 other nations signed a joint letter supporting a just energy transition. The document establishes goals such as:
- Triple the installed capacity of clean generation by 2030;
- Double energy efficiency in the same period.
The letter also proposes the creation of the Global Energy Transitions Forum to mobilize investment, reduce risks, and support developing countries. The text also highlights the need for reforms in the global financial architecture and identifies the current decade as decisive for the planet's energy future.
Guterres defends renewables; UN highlights the role of AI
O secretary general UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency of expanding clean energy sources and developing modern grid and storage systems. He linked renewable energy to economic growth and increased energy access.
Simon Stiell, the UN's climate chief, mentioned the potential of artificial intelligence as a tool to increase energy efficiency and reduce industrial emissions, but warned of the importance of regulations that ensure the responsible use of the technology.
Trump criticizes renewables and praises conventional energy
U.S. President Donald Trump diverged from the mainstream, declaring that renewable energy sources are still expensive and insufficient to meet the demand of large countries. He also criticized China's dependence on wind turbine manufacturing and defended conventional energy sources.
Commitments from other leaders on Day One:
- Indonesia: President Prabowo Subianto said the country aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, with actions on reforestation, energy transition and green jobs;
- South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the effort to mobilize financing for sustainable technologies combined with baseload energy sources;
- South Korea: President Lee Jae-myung highlighted investments in science, innovation and technology to expand the share of renewables;
- Türkiye: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reported that the share of renewable energy in Türkiye's installed capacity exceeded 60%.
Spain and Australia reinforce ambitious goals
The King of Spain advocated tripling renewable energy capacity, calling it an ambitious but essential goal.
Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing emissions:
- 43% by 2030 (base 2005);
- 62% to 70% by 2035.
The country wants to reconcile industrialization and decarbonization, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, and improve quality of life through clean energy.
Morocco and Senegal call for more global cooperation:
- Morocco: Aziz Akhannouch stated that the country is making great strides in promoting renewable energy. He emphasized that no single state has sufficient resources to address the climate crisis, calling for international cooperation.
- Senegal: It reinforced its commitment to the Paris Agreement and advocated for a just transition with access to electricity and competitive development. The country wants to create a loss and damage fund and called for international solidarity to finance it.
Namibia and the Marshall Islands highlighted vulnerability and action:
- Namibia highlighted its energy diversification using natural resources and its energy pact presented at the African Energy Forum;
- The Marshall Islands has issued an urgent call for climate action, reaffirming its commitment to clean energy given its vulnerability.
Europe accelerates transition with a focus on sovereignty and innovation
The President of the European Council, António Costa, stated that the European Union is committed to:
- Reduce emissions by 55% by 2030;
- Achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
He also highlighted:
- Investment in decarbonization, innovation and energy sovereignty;
- Defense of the oceans and support for the treaty of United Nations on marine biodiversity;
- The Global Gateway program, which allocates 300 billion euros until 2027 to sustainable and connectivity projects.
Norway: Clean technologies as an opportunity
Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide reinforced that adopting low-carbon technologies, circularity, and responsible resource management represents an opportunity for growth, not an obstacle.
China expands green system and details commitments
China has highlighted its commitment to green and low-carbon development, declaring that it has:
- The world's largest and fastest renewable energy system;
- The most complete industrial chain of new energies.
Premier Li Qiang announced China's Nationally Determined Contributions for 2035, covering all sectors and greenhouse gases.
Saudi Arabia advocates technology and efficient use of hydrocarbons
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud declared Saudi Arabia's commitment to sustainability and highlighted:
- Investments in clean energy, including green hydrogen
- Adoption of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) technologies
- Large-scale reforestation and ecosystem protection
He called for a realistic energy transition, without excluding fossil fuels, and highlighted Saudi Arabia's efficiency in hydrocarbon production, with low carbon and methane emissions.
Canada is betting on artificial intelligence and clean technology
Mélanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Canadian scientists are leading the way in AI and clean technology, and that Canadian workers are involved in the global energy transition.
UN Assembly closes with optimism and warnings
General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock revealed that renewable energy investments reached $2 trillion last year, signaling a positive inflection point in the market. She praised countries with more ambitious climate goals.
Denmark sees multiple gains in the green transition
Christina Marcus Lassen, head of the Danish delegation, stated that 90% of new global energy in 2024 will come from renewable sources. She advocated for the transition as a driver of:
- Innovation;
- Competitiveness;
- Job creation;
- Economic resilience.
“Sometimes all good things really do come together,” Christina concluded.
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