Breakthrough Agenda Report 2024 – progress in priority areas for international collaboration
Strengthening international collaboration is vital to reduce emissions in the global economy’s largest emitting sectors to deliver on ambitious climate pledges, new Breakthrough Agenda Report finds
Some sectors are making notable progress through international cooperation, but more widespread efforts are needed to achieve clean energy transitions and reach 2030 climate goals, according to the latest Breakthrough Agenda report.
The new report – an annual collaboration between the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the United Nations Climate Change High-Level Champions – shows that countries are making encouraging advances in laying the foundations for the clean energy transition and the creation of new markets, but that greater efforts are needed to build demand for key technologies.
The report’s recommendations span financial assistance, research and development, demand-creation, infrastructure, standards and trade – with the aim of accelerating the energy transitions of the largest emitting sectors. Coordinated actions in the power, hydrogen, road transport, steel, cement and buildings sectors will help mobilise investment and can create the economies of scale required to bring down the price of crucial technologies and sustainable solutions.
The annual Breakthrough Agenda process aims to align actions by countries to make clean technologies and sustainable solutions more affordable, accessible and attractive than fossil fuels. The report tracks developments in practical international collaboration towards 2030 goals in the power, hydrogen, road transport, steel, cement, buildings and agriculture sectors, which together represent over 60% of global emissions. Translating the report’s recommendations into priority actions in each sector will be an important next step for countries at COP29. A separate report will be published on 1 October which assesses progress in agriculture in the context of the Breakthrough Agenda.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said: “The expansion of clean energy technologies is accelerating rapidly. We can take encouragement from the signs that international collaboration is strengthening in some sectors, but there is still much to do. If we’re going to meet our shared climate goals, the world will need to come together quickly. Support for and engagement with emerging and developing economies is a crucial element in this regard. In an uncertain world, countries must work harder to bridge the gaps and address areas that will be mutually beneficial as clean energy transitions advance.”
Ms Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 said: “There is a clear and urgent need for all parts of society to work together to confront the existential challenge of climate change. The Breakthrough Agenda Report 2024 demonstrates that international collaboration is vital for making clean and sustainable technologies the most affordable, accessible and attractive option in all sectors and regions by 2030. We urge governments and businesses to act on its recommendations and work together to adopt harmonised standards, boost market demand for green products, mobilise financing and technical assistance, and undertake coordinated research and development for accelerated implementation of climate solutions.”
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