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Global Commission Unveils Proposals to Expedite Permitting Processes in Response to Climate Change

NEW YORK – Today, a global commission unveiled groundbreaking recommendations aimed at expediting the planning and approval processes crucial for the extensive deployment of renewables and green hydrogen. These measures are essential for addressing climate change and ensuring energy security. The Planning for Climate Commission comprises a diverse array of global leaders, advocates, and experts renowned for their extensive experience in climate and renewable energy policy-making.

The target of tripling the global renewable energy capacity to over 11,000 gigawatts by 2030 is formidable. However, achieving this goal requires innovative approaches to planning and permitting that prioritize both speed and community support. The recommendations, introduced during New York Climate Week, present nine sets of actions crucial for achieving net-zero emissions. These actions encompass initiatives such as shortening and legally mandating permitting timeframes, establishing permitting one-stop-shops, involving communities from the outset, regulating community benefit sharing, strategically allocating land, expediting grid build-out and integration, implementing robust environmental safeguards, and adhering to rigorous sustainability standards. The launch report includes case studies from around the world demonstrating the practical application of these recommendations.

The Planning for Climate Commission is an initiative of the Global Renewables Alliance, which includes the Green Hydrogen Organisation, International Hydropower Association, Global Wind Energy Council, Global Solar Council, Long Duration Energy Storage Council, and International Geothermal Association.

The commission’s work will continue through the establishment of a global coalition committed to halving permitting timeframes by 2030 while maintaining high standards of community engagement. This multi-stakeholder coalition will be officially launched at the COP28 Global Renewables Hub.

CEO of the Green Hydrogen Organisation, Jonas Moberg, emphasized the significance of the report, stating, “This report and its recommendations are essential reading for those seeking faster permitting. Our learning curve must be swift, as this pertains not only to wind turbines and pylons but to all the infrastructure necessary for modern society to operate on renewable energy.”

Malcolm Turnbull, Former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Green Hydrogen Organisation and International Hydropower Association, highlighted the unprecedented scale of renewables required to transition away from fossil fuels. Turnbull emphasized the need for permitting processes that facilitate, rather than hinder, global deployment, and the commission aims to provide recommendations to achieve this goal.

Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance, stressed the pivotal role of permitting and planning in achieving the target of tripling global renewable energy capacity to at least 11,000 GW by 2030. The report offers detailed guidance, case studies, and a comprehensive nine-point plan for expediting and ensuring fair permitting. This initiative is timely for unlocking viable projects and delivering clean, secure, and just #RenewablesNow.

Eddie Rich, CEO of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), highlighted the prolonged approval timelines for renewables projects and the resulting challenges for sustainable hydropower development. The Planning for Climate Commission coalition seeks to address this critical challenge by streamlining and improving efficiency, with the IHA as a proud founding member.

Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the Energy Transition Commission and Planning for Climate Commissioner, emphasized the urgency of delivering planning and permitting systems that drive the transition to a net-zero economy. Turner underscored the need for collaboration between governments, industry, and civil society to remove barriers and focus on reducing development times for vital wind and solar projects.

Maarten Wetselaar, CEO of CEPSA and Planning for Climate Commissioner, expressed the fundamental nature of the Planning for Climate Commission as an initiative for real and rapid progress in 2030. CEPSA is proud to be a founding member of the coalition, aiming to contribute to streamlining permitting to meet the transformational changes required by the net-zero challenge.

Dr. Lisa Sachs, Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Development and Planning for Climate Commissioner, emphasized the critical importance of social acceptance for the massive and rapid expansion of renewable energy. Well-designed and governed benefit-sharing arrangements, considering community rights, can lead to positive outcomes.

Kandeh Yumkella, former CEO of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative and former Chairman of UN-Energy and Planning for Climate Commissioner, highlighted the role of effective planning in ensuring faster approval for projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Strategic land allocation, robust policies, safeguards to limit environmental impacts, and well-designed community benefit-sharing mechanisms are recommended to achieve this goal.

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