Against the backdrop of the energy crisis and the threat of a global food crisis, the inaugural Breakthrough Agenda Report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions urges leaders at this year’s COP27 climate summit in Egypt to follow through on actions that would accelerate progress towards net zero emissions by decades, cut energy costs and boost food security for billions of people worldwide.

The publication provides a progress report on the actions needed to deliver on the historic COP26 clean technology commitment made by governments representing two-thirds of the global economy. The ‘Breakthrough Agenda’, as the commitment is known, aims to align countries’ actions and coordinate investment to scale up deployment and drive down costs across five key sectors – power, road transport, steel, hydrogen and agriculture.

Together, these sectors account for nearly 60% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions today and could deliver the bulk of the emission reductions needed by 2030 in a pathway that would make a significant contribution to limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement goals.

The report notes an increase in practical international cooperation in recent years, and progress in deploying the technologies needed, including:

• A doubling of electric vehicle (EV) sales in 2021 from the previous year, to a new record of 6.6mn.
• A forecast increase in global renewable capacity of 8% in 2022 – pushing through the 300 GW mark for the first time and equivalent to powering approximately 225mn homes.
• Forecast global electricity generation cost reduction of at least $55bn in 2022, based on new renewable capacity added in 2021.

However, the report also warns that far greater international cooperation is needed to get the world on track to meet its climate commitments.

‘We are in the midst of the first truly global energy crisis, with devastating knock-on consequences across the world economy, especially in developing countries. Only by speeding up the transition to clean sustainable energy can we achieve lasting energy security,’ comments IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. ‘Through international collaboration, we can make the transition quicker, cheaper and easier for everyone – on the back of faster innovation, greater economies of scale, bigger incentives to invest, level playing fields and benefits that are shared across all parts of society. Without this collaboration, the transition to net zero emissions will be much more challenging and could be delayed by decades.’

‘The energy and climate crisis has exposed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of a system heavily reliant on fuels of the 20th century. Anything short of radical and immediate action will ultimately eliminate the chance of staying on the 1.5°C path,’ adds Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA.

The report puts forward 25 recommendations for leaders to consider, including:

• Demonstrate and test flexible low carbon power systems to expand the range of solutions and increase the share of variable renewables.
• Create new cross-border supergrids this decade to increase trade in low carbon power, reduce emissions, improve energy security and enhance system flexibility.
• Set up new international centres of expertise to channel finance and technical assistance to help coal-producing countries’ transition.
• Agree a common definition and target dates by which all new road vehicles will be net zero, targeting 2035 for cars and vans, and the 2040s for heavy duty vehicles.
• Mobilise investment in charging infrastructure, including prioritised assistance for developing countries and harmonise international charging standards to drive investment and accelerate adoption globally.
• Standards to boost the recyclability of batteries and supercharging research into alternative chemistries for batteries to reduce reliance on precious metals, such as cobalt and lithium.
• Government policies and private-sector purchase commitments to drive demand and deployment of low carbon and renewable hydrogen alongside standards to enable global trade.

The report highlights that in addition to delivering urgent emissions reductions, stronger collaboration will both deliver a faster and a cheaper transition, while boosting jobs growth.

Research from the IEA shows that without international collaboration, the transition to net zero global emissions could be delayed by decades. While new research cited by the report shows that some technology costs may decline by as much as 18% by 2030. And IRENA estimates cited by the report suggest an energy transition aligned with limiting global temperature increase to 1.5°C could create close to 85mn additional jobs by 2030 compared to 2019, more than offsetting losses of 12mn jobs.