Countdown to COP21
Time is ticking down to the crucial COP21 international climate talks in Paris at the end of the year. On the table is nothing less than a new legally binding climate change agreement with the aim of keeping global warming within a 2°C limit. As an increasingly affordable clean energy technology, solar has a potentially pivotal role to play in helping the world make the transition away from fossil fuels to low- or zero-carbon energy sources. We have reported extensively in the past on calls for solar to have a prominent place in the debate over how the shift to a low-carbon energy system could best be achieved. To bring together our coverage of the build-up to COP21 and of solar’s role in delivering the agreement that many hope the talks will deliver, we have created this dedicated section of the site. If you would like to contribute views on solar’s place in the Paris talks and beyond, please contact Ben Willis at bwillis@solarmedia.co.uk, or John Parnell, at jparnell@solarmedia.co.uk on the PV Tech team.
United in difference
In the last two days the United States and United Kingdom have taken two very different decisions on the future of solar in their countries. As the world seeks to capitalise on the momentum generated by last week’s Paris climate agreement, they are decisions that could have far-reaching consequences.
COP21: Thoughts on the future of energy
Bridge to India founder Tobias Engelmeier shares his thoughts on the future of energy after attending the COP21 Climate Conference.
COP21: Solar eyes role in delivering Paris pledges
Solar industry figures have hailed Saturday’s historic climate agreement in Paris and urged swift action by world leaders to map out how countries will now meet the aims of the deal.
Modi and Hollande to launch global Solar Alliance at COP21
Indian prime minister and French president Francois Hollande will jointly launch the International Solar Alliance (ISA) at the COP21 climate conference in Paris today.
COP 21: Renewables-plus-storage can help developing world decarbonise, faces challenges
Renewables with energy storage can help build low carbon energy networks in the developing world – but the twin technologies still face competition from natural gas while they gradually mature, according to an electric power systems maker and integrator.
COP 21: Any deal in Paris is a good deal for solar
The impact on the cost and availability of finance for solar projects in the wake of a successful Paris summit could be profound, writes John Parnell.
COP21: Microsoft, HSBC and others declare private sector ’responsibility’ to act on climate
Bosses of companies including HSBC Holdings, Microsoft, Nestlé, Dow Chemical Company have signed an open letter urging for action on climate change.
COP21: IRENA calls for tripling of renewables investment by 2030
Investment in renewable energy will need to triple by 2030 worldwide to ensure the deployment levels needed to head off excessive global temperature rises, the International Renewable Energy Agency has said.
COP21: Why world leaders need to wake up to the solar revolution going on under their noses
Solar pioneer Neville Williams has witnessed first hand the astonishing rise of PV over more than 30 years working with the technology. As the world gears up for the Paris climate talks in December, he tells Ben Willis why solar's time as a maintream energy source has now come.
COP21: ‘Unprecedented levels of effort’ on GHG reductions still insufficient
Under plans submitted to combat climate change, renewable energy generation will more than double in eight of the world’s top 10 greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting economies by 2030, while three of those will see their nuclear generation increase tenfold.
Modi invites 110 nations to join solar alliance spearheaded by India
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has invited around 110 nations to join an international solar alliance to be spearheaded by India and launched at the Paris Climate Conference COP21 on 30 November.
COP21: Political support growing for global clean energy R&D push, says UK climate envoy
The UK government’s special representative on climate change has spoken of his optimism that plans for a concerted international push on clean energy research will be given additional impetus by the climate talks in Paris in December.
PV Talk: How COP21 could spur a new era of global collaboration on solar R&D
The UK’s former chief scientific advisor Sir David King is one of an eminent group of figures pushing for a new international clean energy R&D programme. He tells Ben Willis how he hopes the Paris climate talks in December will give additional momentum to solar and other renewables as they make the final push towards cost-competitiveness with fossil fuels.
UK sending ‘perverse’ signals on renewables ahead of COP21, says UN scientist
United Nations' chief environment scientist Jacquie McGlade has attacked the UK government over its stance on renewable energy subsidies.
COP21: Funding boost for low-carbon growth in developing countries
Global development banks have pledged to boost funding to help developing countries cope with climate change through the adoption of low-carbon technologies such as solar.
Countdown to COP21: How solar can grease wheels of the UN climate talks
Solar energy is helping developing countries to make ambitious climate change pledges ahead of next month’s UN summit in Paris, the CEO of The Climate Group has told PV Tech.
COP21: Chile outlines ambitious ‘70% renewables by 2050’ pledge
Chile has adopted a greatly increased renewable and clean energy target of 70% for its energy mix by 2050, with the Latin American country’s Ministry of Energy publishing a roadmap document.
COP21: IEA urges strong deal in Paris to accelerate renewables growth
The International Energy Agency has called for a strong agreement at the COP21 climate talks in Paris later this year as the best means of accelerating renewable energy deployment beyond current projections.
COP21 is solar’s big chance to show what it can offer
Solar has an opportunity to be a focal point of December's crucial climate talks in Paris, but the industry must become better at making itself heard, writes Ben Willis.
Study charts course to 100% renewables by 2050
A world entirely powered by renewable energy is achievable by 2050 and is a scenario that is becomingly increasingly essential to prevent runaway climate change, a Greenpeace study has claimed.
Solar and the road to COP21
Last week the UN hosted the first of three crucially important global development conferences this year, culminating in the COP21 climate change talks in December. Reporting on the event, Alexander Lagaaij saw evidence of an appetite for cooperation, but still no high-level understanding of the potential of solar energy to put the world on a more sustainable path.
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