India and France jointly launched the ISA at the 2015 UN climate conference in Paristo address energy needs and challenges of its member countries and scale up solar through multiple flagship interventions
France's top priority at the annual UN climate talks in Dubai will be to support all commitments, especially financial ones, aimed at accelerating the global energy transition, a minister representing the country stated.
Addressing the sixth assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, the French Minister of State for Development, emphasised the increasing frequency of climate catastrophes and the importance of countries intensifying their efforts on all fronts to meet the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
"At the COP, one of France's priorities will be to support all commitments, particularly financial ones, to accelerate the global energy transition," she said.
India and France jointly launched the ISA at the 2015 UN climate conference in Paris. This intergovernmental organisation works to address the energy needs and challenges of its member countries and to promote solar energy through various flagship interventions.
The ISA's sixth assembly, held from October 30 to November 2, is focused on discussing initiatives that impact energy access, energy security, and energy transitions.
Ministers, missions, and delegates from 116 member and signatory countries are participating in the assembly, alongside delegates from prospective countries, partner organisations, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
Zacharopoulou pointed out that the solar revolution is already underway and is set to accelerate significantly in the coming years. She cited the International Energy Agency's (IEA) figures, stating that solar power's growth has exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts. The IEA now predicts over 12,000 gigawatts of solar energy by 2050.
She emphasised that the challenge for the ISA is no longer to support the growth of solar energy, as this growth is inevitable and already happening. Instead, the mission is to steer and manage this momentum effectively.
Zacharopoulou also highlighted the need to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in major markets like Europe and India to create a truly global ecosystem. In Europe, the plan is to increase the share of renewable energy in the EU's energy consumption to over 42 percent by 2030, while France aims to double its solar capacity installation rate.
She noted that another significant challenge is ensuring equitable distribution of investment in solar energy to benefit developing countries, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
The French minister emphasised the need to reform the international financial architecture to address the energy transition challenge effectively and to ensure that private investment in renewable energies flows to developing countries.
Zacharopoulou underscored that the solar revolution encompasses not only financial investment but also the development of engineering, technical expertise, training centres, and the creation of scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The UN climate talks this year will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, convening over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, and international industry leaders.