Double Down, Triple Up: Real-World Solutions for a 1.5°C Path

At COP29, the Solar Impulse Foundation and the Global Renewables Alliance present “Double Down, Triple Up – 20 Solutions in Action,” showcasing 10 energy efficiency stories from Solar Impulse Foundation-labeled innovators and 10 renewable solutions from GRA members tangible technologies.

Together, these examples drive progress toward the COP28 goals of tripling renewable capacity and doubling efficiency by 2030.

Meeting the dual targets of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 could deliver 80% of the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°c.

The “Double Down, Triple Up” campaign, led by the Global Renewables Alliance with over 250 partners, aims to meet COP28’s energy goals by advancing renewable energy and efficiency. “Triple Up” targets a threefold increase in global renewable capacity by 2030 through major investments and innovations, while “Double Down” emphasizes energy efficiency as a rapid, cost-effective way to cut CO2 and improve energy security by reducing demand. Together, these actions foster resilience, particularly in emerging markets, by lowering costs and stabilising energy access.

The campaign calls for united action across sectors to achieve emissions reductions, economic growth, and a sustainable, reliable energy future worldwide.

Words fromBertrand
Piccard

Our current way of operating is both unsustainable and irrational.

More than two thirds of the energy produced ends up being wasted through inefficient production and consumption processes. Why? Because our world is still using outdated infrastructure and systems that were invented 120 years ago at the beginning of the oil era: thermal engines, badly insulated buildings, inefficient heating and cooling, without even mentioning the obsolete industrial processes and dirty energy sources.

This is not only detrimental to the environment, it is also tremendously expensive: 4,6 trillion dollars are lost every year!

By harnessing the full potential of existing technical solutions and optimising the way we use resources, we can drastically reduce emissions while driving economic and social welfare.

This publication showcases real-life energy efficiency stories - a year after the “Double Down, Triple Up” COP28 pledge- , and together with the Global Renewables Alliance, we want to show that change is underway; that efficiency and renewables are a credible and urgent path forward.

Efficiency is in the DNA of the Solar Impulse Foundation. Flying around the world in a solar-powered airplane would not have been possible without renewable energy, obviously. But efficiency was also at the heart of the project, to ensure we could cope with the amount of energy given by the sun. Since the flight, through the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label, we dedicate our efforts to identifying, labelling and promoting all the solutions that can take the world towards more efficiency.

Every sector, from energy to transportation, holds immense untapped potential for efficiency improvements, offering the most immediate and impactful opportunities for change. Now is the time for a collective push to prioritise smarter energy use, minimise waste, and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Renewables and efficiency: two sides of the same coin, leading us to a more sustainable world and a more profitable economy!

Read more President of the Solar Impulse Foundation

Words fromBruce
Douglas

As we stand at a critical juncture in the global energy transition, the urgency for ambitious action has never been more pronounced.

Achieving our dual targets of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 will enable the phase out of fossil fuels and deliver 80% of the emissions reductions necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This goal is vital for securing a sustainable, inclusive, and economically resilient future, particularly for emerging markets and developing economies.

In 2023, record investments in renewable energy reached USD 570 billion, with solar and wind now recognised as the most cost-effective energy sources globally. However, we must confront significant challenges, including inadequate policy implementation and enduring fossil fuel subsidies that impede our progress.

The Global Renewables Alliance is proud to partner with the Solar Impulse Foundation to launch this project, which seeks to inspire tangible actions towards our ambitious targets. This publication presents compelling examples from around the world, illustrating how companies together with governments and communities are pioneering solutions that not only advance our objectives but also enhance energy security and create green jobs.

These case studies demonstrate that delivering on our global targets is indeed possible with the right enabling frameworks. They illuminate the concrete actions necessary for building a clean, secure, and just energy future. As we continue to push for greater ambition and accountability, the GRA remains committed to keeping the focus on the clean energy goals secured at COP28.

Together, we can chart a route forward, driving the critical actions needed at COP29 and beyond. I invite you to explore these solutions and join us in this essential journey toward a clean, secure and just energy future for all.

Read more Chief Executive Officer of the Global Renewables Alliance

Energy
efficiency

Doubling energy efficiency by 2030 offers the “lowest-hanging fruit” for climate action, delivering 40% of needed CO2 reductions and saving $4.6 trillion annually. Known as the “first fuel” of clean energy, efficiency reduces costs, boosts resilience, and accelerates climate goals. Actions like insulation, waste heat recovery, and leak repairs empower every sector to contribute. The 10 stories from Solar Impulse-labeled innovators show how efficiency, integrated with renewables, builds a sustainable economy.

Doubling Down By ...Reducing chemical use in agriculture with precision weed control technology