BRUSSELS: European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, has declared a significant plan to triple the European Union's renewable energy capacity by 2030. Speaking at the Ministerial Dialogue on Scaling up Investment for Tripling Renewables and Doubling Energy Efficiency, Hoekstra emphasized the need for swift action to translate clean energy targets into tangible projects. According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hoekstra highlighted that the commitment made in Dubai last year marked a crucial step towards ending reliance on fossil fuels. The pledge involves not only tripling renewable energy capacity but also doubling energy efficiency within this decade. Hoekstra described this initiative as a critical investment that promises to deliver local resource utilization, job creation, and enhanced energy independence, while offering a cost-effective alternative to polluting options. The Commissioner noted that achieving these targets could potentially slash global greenhouse gas emissions by 10 billion tons by 2030, a reduction equivalent to more than three years of the EU's total emissions. Despite the ambitious nature of the vision, Hoekstra expressed confidence in its feasibility, underscoring the importance of rapid renewable energy growth. Last year, the EU successfully cut emissions by 8 percent, with over half of Europe's electricity now sourced from wind and solar energy, surpassing all fossil fuels combined. However, Hoekstra also acknowledged the ongoing challenge at the global level, where emissions saw a 1.3 percent increase last year. The European Union's ambition to significantly expand its renewable energy capacity is positioned as a key strategy in addressing these global emission trends.