How governments can drive a faster, bigger and better energy transition

The author contends that the energy transition requires a holistic government policy approach, specifically through more detailed nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that align various government ministries toward zero-carbon goals. While the private sector and specific technologies like electric vehicles and solar power are showing exponential growth, the document asserts that policy-led action—such as ending fossil fuel subsidies, pricing carbon, and ensuring a 'just transition' for fossil-fuel-dependent communities—is essential to reach the scale demanded by the Paris Agreement.

• To accelerate the energy transition, governments need to increase the specificity of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement by detailing how and when each sector will reach zero emissions and ensuring the involvement of all government ministries and economic actors.
• The energy sector has seen rapid growth in specific technologies: electric vehicles increased from 17,000 in 2010 to over 7.2 million by the time of writing; solar power grew from 290 MW in 2001 to nearly 127,000 MW in 2020; and LED bulbs are expected to reach nearly 100% market share by 2025.
• Several high-emitting entities have set net-zero emissions targets: China by 2060, and the EU, US, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and South Africa by 2050.
• Specific national strategies include the UK's plan for a green industrial revolution to create 250,000 jobs this decade, and South Africa's goal to reduce coal-fired power supply from approximately 90% to 46% by 2030 and 30% by 2050.
• Effective decarbonization policies recommended by the NDC Partnership include pricing carbon, ending fossil fuel subsidies, stopping deforestation, and ending the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles.

APA

Topping, N. (2021). How governments can drive a faster, bigger and better energy transition. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/governments-drive-faster-bigger-better-energy-transition/

Chicago

Topping, Nigel. How governments can drive a faster, bigger and better energy transition. World Economic Forum, 2021. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/governments-drive-faster-bigger-better-energy-transition/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Topping |first1=Nigel |title=How governments can drive a faster, bigger and better energy transition |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=23 April 2021 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/governments-drive-faster-bigger-better-energy-transition/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{topping2021how, author = {Topping, Nigel}, title = {{How governments can drive a faster, bigger and better energy transition}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/governments-drive-faster-bigger-better-energy-transition/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }