In a speech opening the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, urged a global pivot toward renewable energy by 2050. The message, reported by TASS, underscored a bold vision for what many in North America and around the world are watching closely as markets shift toward cleaner power sources.
The minister emphasized a rapid acceleration in the rollout of renewable energy, aiming to lift its share to about two thirds of global energy consumption by 2030 and to achieve full decarbonization by 2050. This timetable reflects a belief that speed matters in reducing climate risk, stabilizing power supplies, and guiding economic planning in North America, where governments and industries are recalibrating grids, incentives, and investment flows to meet ambitious climate goals. The rationale rests on urgent calls to curb climate change, address pandemic-era disruptions, and safeguard food and energy chains strained by geopolitical tensions, all of which can affect electricity reliability and pricing in Canada, the United States, and beyond. Cited by TASS, the perspective aligns with a growing conviction that renewables must lead the energy transition for resilience and security in North American markets as well as globally.
During the assembly, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres delivered a video message stressing that renewable energy is a cornerstone of long-term energy security. He urged a broad, international cooperation framework on renewables to be negotiated and implemented within the coming decade. For policy makers and investors in Canada and the United States, the call signals a push toward more coordinated cross-border strategies, supply chain diversification, and joint R&D efforts to scale wind, solar, and storage technologies while maintaining grid reliability.
From the energy sector, Anders Opedal, chief executive of Equinor, issued a contrasting but important note this week. He suggested that while renewables will gain momentum, demand for oil and gas is likely to remain elevated for many years. This view highlights a practical reality for North American energy planning: the need to balance aggressive clean energy targets with steady supplies of traditional fuels during the transition. The message invites governments and industry to pursue a pragmatic mix of investments in low-carbon technologies, natural gas as a bridge fuel, and robust energy efficiency measures to support steady economic growth while pursuing climate ambitions. Cited by TASS as part of the broader discussion, Opedal’s stance adds nuance to the North American path toward a reliable, affordable, and low-emission energy system.