Today, the Presidency, in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA), shared five key opportunities for COP29 to demonstrate positive progress on energy goals identified at COP28. 

The five opportunities identified are: 

1. Scale up energy storage and electricity grids as a key enabler to achieving the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity this decade and ensuring that the full benefits are realised.

To make the most of renewable energy that often gives you the most energy when you least need it (solar give you energy during the day when peak uses are often in the evening) countries will have to invest in battery power (energy storage). 

The UK National grid will need to be extended to cope with all the extra renewable electric that needs to get from  where it is generated to where it is needed.

2. Ensure countries accelerate policy implementation to achieve the goal of doubling energy efficiency progress by 2030.

Lots of countries have agreed in principle to increase demand but it is being done at a lacklustre pace.

3. Maintain a focus on cutting emissions from methane and fossil fuels.

4.Implement solutions to boost clean energy investment in developing economies to support their transitions.

The industrial revolution in ‘Western’ countries was driven by coal and they are now transitioning to clean energy. The developing world are often still stuck on coal and will need money to invest in green energy.

5. The next round of Nationally Determined Contributions should be informed by the Global Stocktake (GST) outcomes. 

Rich countries need to give poor countries to invest in green energy. Lots of money has been pledged but the actual money is slow in appearing.