19 January 2014: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released a roadmap for doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. The report, titled ‘REmap 2030 – A Renewable Energy Roadmap: Summary of Findings,’ concludes that the global renewable energy share could reach 30% by 2030 through existing policies and technologies.

According to the roadmap, the UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) goal of doubling the renewable energy share to 36% in 2030 could be achieved by doubling of the rate of improvement in energy efficiency and providing universal energy access through renewables. The report warns, however, that without new policies, the global renewable energy share will be only 21% in 2030, from just 18% today.

The study finds that a doubling of the renewable energy share is possible with negligible additional costs and net savings if climate change mitigation, health impacts, job creation and other social benefits are taken into account. The study anticipates that the share of modern renewables will more than triple – and even quadruple in absolute terms, while traditional biomass use decreases. It further notes that bringing the total share of renewables beyond 36% will require intensified research, development and deployment policies, as well as enhanced standards, quality control, technology cooperation and project development capacity.

‘REmap 2030,’ launched in conjunction with the fourth session of the IRENA Assembly, is the product of a year-long collaboration of 82 national experts from 42 countries. It covers 26 countries, totaling over three-quarters of current energy demand, and is the first study of global renewable energy potential based on official government data. The roadmap is a living document, and its summary of findings will be followed by a more comprehensive report, followed by a series of country and issue-specific studies. [Publication: REmap 2030] [SE4All Initiative] [IIDS RS Coverage of the Fourth Session of the IRENA Assembly]