US envoy says Russian invasion is accelerating world’s transition to clean energy

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will accelerate the world’s transition to renewable energy due to the price shock of oil and gas, the U.S. climate envoy said.

US Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Rick Duke speaks at the Australian National University Forum after a meeting with Australian government officials on bilateral cooperation to transition to net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Mr Duke described the Russian invasion, which began six months ago, as “one of the biggest geopolitical drivers right now” for the global shift to renewable energy.

“What people’s understanding of the impact on this is sometimes lost is that when you look at the responses countries are actually taking, it accelerates the energy transition,” he said.

“The EU has tripled its efforts to deploy renewable energy and heat pumps and electrify its fleet and otherwise deal with this crisis,” he added. “It will take time … but the pace is picking up because of the conflict.”

Meanwhile, Australia plans to reduce its heavy reliance on solar panels made by Russia’s ally, China, by diversifying its trading partners, as the Australian government expands its transition to renewable energy.

Kushla Munro, head of the government’s international climate division, said Australia was focusing on India for international cooperation on the production of solar panels and green hydrogen.

Ms Munro said Australia was also prioritizing green energy technology partnerships with Japan, South Korea and the US to avoid supply chain constraints due to the pandemic.

The Australian government, elected in May, cut Australia’s 2030 emissions target to 42 per cent, down from the previous government’s target of 26 per cent to below 2005 levels of 28 per cent.

The US is targeting a 50% to 52% reduction by the end of the century.