Five nations back plan to double rooftop solar panels by 2030 at UN climate talks

Five countries have endorsed a plan to double the number of homes with rooftop solar panels worldwide by 2030, according to PBS NewsHour. This announcement came during the United Nations climate talks, COP31, held in Antalya, Turkey, where the focus is on expanding access to electricity and shifting away from fossil fuels.

The Global Rooftop Solar Declaration was launched on the second day of COP31. It aims to increase rooftop solar installations from about 150 million today to at least 300 million by 2030. The countries endorsing the plan are Australia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, and Vanuatu, PBS NewsHour reported.

In addition to these five countries, lawmakers from 21 other nations, including the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, have also endorsed the declaration. Indonesia's state-owned electric power company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara, is among the supporters as well.

Experts noted that while the pledge is voluntary and non-binding, effective implementation will require national policies to upgrade power grids and subsidize solar panels and batteries. Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance, emphasized the need for concrete policies following the pledge.

COP31 comes amid growing concerns about climate change and recent energy shocks from conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which have increased interest in renewable energy sources like solar power.