The United Nations COP28 climate summit in Dubai is on like Donkey Kong, and the world’s focus is on increasing renewable energy. And when we say ‘increasing’, we mean a tripling of global capacity… Australia has backed that pledge, along with a push to double the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. So far, 118 countries are on board, including the US, and supporters want the pledge to be included in the final COP statement, meaning all of the nearly 200 countries represented would agree to work towards the target. Some climate groups have cautiously welcomed the promise, saying more renewable energy is terrific, but the real challenge is for nations to agree to ditch oil, gas and coal. “Nothing else really matters in the end,” said Climate Analytics boss Professor Bill Hare. Other activists were more optimistic – one called the pledge a “bright spot” in recent climate diplomacy.