World leaders sign Breakthrough Agenda to promote clean tech

COP26 – Over 40 world leaders, representing more than 70 per cent of the world economy, have backed and signed up to the new Breakthrough Agenda to support development of clean technologies. Signatories include Canada, the United States, India, European Union, China, and many other countries representing every region of the world. The announcement was made as part of the COP26 meetings on climate change underway in Glasgow.

Modelled on the United Kingdom’s Net Zero Strategy, the Breakthrough Agenda will see countries and businesses coordinate and strengthen their climate action each year to dramatically scale and speed up the development and deployment of clean technologies and drive down costs this decade.

The aim is to make clean technologies the most affordable, accessible and attractive choice for all globally in each of the most polluting sectors by 2030, particularly supporting the developing world to access the innovation and tools needed to transition to net zero.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the first five goals, the Glasgow Breakthroughs, collectively covering more than 50% of global emissions:

Power: Clean power is the most affordable and reliable option for all countries to meet their power needs efficiently by 2030.

Road Transport: Zero emission vehicles are the new normal and accessible, affordable, and sustainable in all regions by 2030.

Steel: Near-zero emission steel is the preferred choice in global markets, with efficient use and near-zero emission steel production established and growing in every region by 2030.

Hydrogen: Affordable renewable and low carbon hydrogen is globally available by 2030.

Agriculture: Climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture is the most attractive and widely adopted option for farmers everywhere by 2030.

The plan will see countries and businesses work closely through a range of leading international initiatives to accelerate innovation and scale up green industries – this includes, for example, stimulating green investment through strong signals to industry about the future economy, aligning policies and standards, joining up R&D efforts, coordinating public investments and mobilizing private finance particularly for developing nations.

Delivering the first five breakthroughs could create 20 million new jobs globally and add over $16 trillion across both emerging and advanced economies.