Submission by IIED to the UNFCCC on ADP work stream 2: the pre 2020 mitigation ambition

Work stream two of the Durban Platform noted the significant need to close the greenhouse gas emissions gap by 2020 in order to set the world on a sustainable emission pathway that can hold global warming below 2°C. To achieve the mitigation ambition, concrete, scaled up actions are needed in terms of policies and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The scaling up of renewable energy measures have an enormous potential for emission reductions, while providing the co-benefits of increased energy access and related contributions to development.

This submission presents an overview of specific renewable energy policies and programs that have the greatest mitigation potential; as well as strategies for overcoming any implementation barriers. These recommendations will serve as a basis for discussions to identify specific and cost effective mitigation actions to bridge the mitigation ambitions set for 2020.