Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda: the race to triple renewable capacity

The challenge before the Commonwealth of Nations is monumental. Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it is here, testing resilience, economies, and the future of humanity itself. Despite some important progress, the world is not yet on track to keep global temperatures below 2°C, let alone within the critical 1.5°C threshold. Achieving this will require unprecedented cooperation, courage, and commitment. The race to triple renewable capacity is hotting up.

The Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda (CSET) unites the family of 56 countries under a shared goal: to fast-track the clean energy transition. This commitment, first called for by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 2018 and renewed at CHOGM 2022, has since become a powerful platform. CSET brings together Commonwealth nations and partners to accelerate action on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) and net-zero targets under the Paris Agreement by 2050.

Targets and collaboration

As defined at COP28, staying within the 1.5°C limit demands a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a 60% reduction by 2035, aiming for net zero by mid-century. To achieve these targets, collective action with urgency is essential to build on the consensus achieved in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.

This goal will require unprecedented international collaboration across six critical enablers: nationally determined contributions (NDCs), finance, capacity-building, technology transfer, transparency, and effective policy frameworks. Conversations on the issue continue at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, speaking at an event on the energy transition on the sidelines of COP29, said:

“To succeed, this energy transition must be inclusive, bringing on board all voices in society. It is a shared journey that demands active engagement from Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, youth, and children.

“The path to a just, sustainable energy future requires that no one is left behind, and that our policies reflect the voices and needs of all our people.”

Building partnerships and seizing opportunities

A just energy transition is more than just diagnosing challenges; it’s about building partnerships, seizing opportunities, and identifying practical solutions to accelerate the collective energy transition.

Each Commonwealth nation has a unique path to net zero, shaped by its own resources, challenges, and capabilities. A recurring theme at COP29 is that countries must have their national development plans that are sound. In addition, their NDCs and goals must align to that plan and be tailored to their specific needs. The energy transition is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Addressing clean energy mineral challenges

The race to triple renewable capacity by 2030 brings new challenges, particularly around clean energy minerals, like lithium, cobalt, and nickel — resources critical to technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage. Demand for these minerals is expected to surge, and with it, risks around supply instability, price volatility, and geopolitical influences. No nation can tackle these risks alone.

To address this, the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), is developing a Shared Value Framework for energy transition minerals. Together, a model for secure, responsible sourcing and management of these resources is being created — a vital step toward a stable, affordable, and inclusive global energy transition.

Learn more about The Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda