The Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) has made an urgent appeal at COP29, calling on world leaders to confront the trade barriers that are holding back renewable energy expansion.

As the world faces a growing energy crisis and ongoing disruptions to supply chains, GRA leaders have warned that current trade policies could prevent the world from reaching its goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The GRA outlined three priorities for international action: aligning global policies on renewable energy development, reducing trade restrictions on environmental goods and services, and supporting green industrialisation in emerging markets.

GRA representatives argue that countries can make renewable energy technology more affordable and accessible by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, particularly in areas most affected by climate change.

The alliance also highlighted the importance of empowering emerging economies to play a greater role in the energy transition by developing their own green energy industries.

This approach, they argue, could drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen energy security on a global scale.

According to Ana Rovzar, Head of Policy and Partnerships at GRA, “The clean energy industry stands at a critical inflection point.

“Renewables deployment must scale up rapidly to meet our tripling goals, and the global coordination of industrial trade policies will be instrumental to that.

“Trade policy encourages growth and innovation of the renewable energy industry and is essential for a just and timely energy transition.”