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INDCs require the investment and policy environment that should drive a significant growth in solar. SolarPower Europe believes that we need to double the solar capacity to reach the requirements in just a handful of years.Yet although the world’s climate pledges are profound, they are still not enough to hit the targets for GHG reductions. As it stands, the pledges on climate change are likely to lead to more than 2°C of global warming over the coming century, we therefore need to close the gap in the INDCs to meet the targets. Thus ambition and momentum must be scaled up.Clear and stable policies need to be put in place to ensure that the benefits of cost-effective solar are not squandered through needless tariffs, taxes and other barriers. No cost should be added to the production of solar at the present time, so that the economics of solar are not squandered. We also need to make sure that there are no retroactive changes to agreed investment frameworks, thus security of investments must be a key priority.We also need to phase out coal and the burning of primary forests for fuel. Solar can replace both – for energy and jobs in the communities dependent on those forms of energy. Finally, we need a free and fair trade environment to ensure that society gains the best low-carbon technologies at the best prices. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORSJames Watson is the CEO of SolarPower Europe (formerly EPIA: European Photovoltaic Industry Association) based in Brussels, Belgium. He joined SolarPower Europe in July 2014 after seven years of working in the energy sector in Brussels with the consultancy Weber Sandwich. Prior to this he worked for the European Commission, posted for two years as an expert in Africa working on trade and sustainable development. Earlier in his career Dr Watson worked for various UK government bodies and worked as a lecturer in Environmental Law at the University of Manchester.Kristina Thoring is Senior Political Communications Advisor at SolarPower Europe. She has worked for the Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature and at the United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) in Brussels and the Norwegian Embassy in Athens, Greece. Ms Thoring holds an MA in Environment, Development & Policy from the University of Sussex.Photo Credit: Evo EnergyMain: The recognition of the potential of solar is growing across the worldPictured: Kristina ThoringPictured: James WatsonSUSTAINABLE ENERGY 097