Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries: Renewable Energy

As countries move towards more ambitious and investment-ready climate plans (NDCs 3.0), the role of nationally-endorsed technology priorities and implementation pathways becomes increasingly vital. Technology Action Plans (TAP), key outputs of the Technology Needs Assessments (TNA) process under the UNFCCC, assist countries in their technology planning and roadmapping. TAPs help translate national mitigation and adaptation technology priorities into concrete actions and project ideas across different sectors. They are essential for setting priorities, attracting finance and support from bilateral and multilateral sources, and for creating an enabling environment for technology deployment.

Energy is the most prioritized sector for climate change mitigation in countries’ TNAs. Energy transition is at the heart of mitigation targets set by Parties in their NDCs and long-term low-emission development strategies. The outcomes of the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement underscore the importance of climate action in the energy sector to enable deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Energy sector TAPs not only set the pathways for achieving these climate targets but also interact with broader sustainable development goals – especially SDG 7 on sustainable energy for all, thereby contributing to a just, inclusive, and equitable energy systems transformation.

To further support countries in enabling systems transformations towards climate-resilient and sustainable energy systems, the TEC, in partnership with UNIDO and UNEP-CCC, has developed a new TNA Guidebook on Renewable Energy. This Guidebook offers practical guidance for identifying, assessing, and implementing renewable energy technologies in a country-driven, context-sensitive, and gender-responsive manner, with just transition considerations.

This guidebook is part of a series of Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) guidebooks supporting country teams and practitioners in identifying and prioritising climate technologies for adaptation and mitigation by focusing on specific sectors.  The guidebook provides an overview of up-to-date information on a wide range of relevant renewable energy technologies that can be considered in developing the countries’ TNAs, individually or in combination, depending on the specific national circumstances and in line with development and climate priorities.

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