Clean Energy Transitions Programme Annual Report 2020

Overview

Since the launch of the Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP) in late 2017, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has significantly expanded its work to help accelerate energy transitions in major emerging economies. The CETP plays a critical role in supporting clean energy transitions, integrating sustainable development into economic recovery measures, and strengthening the IEA family.

Key Activities and Achievements

Objectives and Activities

The CETP Annual Report 2020 highlights the program's main activities, presenting major outcomes and areas for further work, along with planned activities for 2021. It also summarizes IEA activities related to clean energy transitions at a global level and introduces new and innovative analyses and resources produced throughout the year.

Priority Countries and Regions

The report provides an overview of the CETP's objectives, followed by highlights of activities and achievements for each priority country (Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa) and priority region (Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia).

2020 Highlights

2020 was a critical year for clean energy transitions. The IEA responded to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis by producing detailed, cost-effective policy options to support sustainable recoveries. The program explored the impacts of the pandemic on energy markets and systems and outlined near-term actions to accelerate clean energy transitions.

Key Initiatives

Global Sustainable Recovery Plan: The IEA developed this plan to help emerging economies craft sustainable recovery packages.
Private Sector Investment: The program explored ways to enhance private-sector investment in transmission in Southeast Asia and attract private power sector investment in Indonesia.
Climate Change Efforts: The IEA held the first Clean Energy Transitions Summit, bringing together ministers from countries representing over 80% of the world economy to discuss climate change challenges. The summit aimed to build an ambitious, real-world "grand coalition" committed to tackling climate change.
Net-Zero Goals: The IEA–COP26 Net Zero Summit focused on implementing actions needed to convert growing net-zero goals into reality.

Impact and Future Plans

The CETP has dramatically expanded the IEA’s work to support emerging economies, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa—economies that collectively account for nearly 45% of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion and represent over two-thirds of emissions from developing economies.

The program has also continuously expanded its regional-level work in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia by developing partnerships with major institutions and playing an important convening role.

The IEA aims to deepen and expand the CETP’s impact in the coming months and years, with special thanks to the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Sweden, the European Commission, the Netherlands, AFD, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Finland, New Zealand, and Australia for their support and involvement.

Conclusion

The CETP has transformed the IEA into a leading voice in clean energy transitions, with a focus on achieving global net-zero emission goals. The agency remains optimistic about the prospects for success and stands ready to continue supporting the IEA family under the CETP.