The first Citizens Energy Congress, a UNEP-Science-Policy-Business Forum (UN-SPBF) partner event, was held online on 15-16 June 2021 with the aim of resetting the energy agenda post COVID-19 and driving the transition to a clean energy system that balances affordable energy access and climate change commitments.
According to UNEP’s latest Emissions Gap Report, despite a brief dip in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is indeed still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3°C this century – far beyond the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. Yet, a green pandemic recovery could cut 25 per cent off the greenhouse emissions expected in 2030, based namely on policies in the energy sector that would support zero-emissions technologies and infrastructure, for example, carbon-free and renewable energy.
In this context and with the urgent need to fast-track the world’s decarbonization journey, the Citizens Energy Congress brought together over 40+ high-level expert speakers and more than 2000 attendees from all parts of the energy value chain to discuss and examine the promising technologies, innovative finance and policies as well as investment opportunities which can help the energy industry meet its climate targets and manage a successful transition to net zero emissions.
There was passionate discussions and a strong degree of commitment throughout both days as all 24 sessions highlighted the importance to accelerate the pace of transition to a carbon-free economy with a call for speed, agility and action and clear recognition that the window of opportunity for the global society is closing. In this respect, Harry Verhaar, Head of Global Public & Government Affairs, at Signify and UN-SPBF Governing Consortium member explained his “concerned optimism” in regard to reducing emissions and achieving the necessary targets in a panel titled: “Taking Responsibility, Accepting Accountability”
Citizens Energy Congress Closing Panel
The closing session of the Citizens Energy Congress organized with the support of the UN-SPBF saw Mark Radka, Acting Deputy Director of UNEP’s Economy Division, Claire O’Neill, Managing Director-Climate & Energy at the world Business Council for Sustainable Development, Rebekah Shirley Lukera, Director of Research Data & Innovation at the World Resources Institute Africa and Carlo Papa, Managing Director of the Enel Foundation share insights on what needs to be actioned to be on track to achieve the climate change targets and how we can transition from aspirations to reality and get to the right level of detail to be able to deliver net-zero emissions.
Mark Radka provided UNEP’s perspective, arguing that the energy transition to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C this century is a daunting challenge which required all stakeholders including governments, businesses, and individuals to play a role and move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. He outlined the fact that the foundation of a reliable, clean and affordable energy system will not only deliver a solution to climate change but also to the two other planetary crisis which are biodiversity loss and pollution. Aside from the need to stop investments in new fossil fuels supply and get the global electricity sector decarbonized by 2040, Mr Radka made the case for energy efficiency which can provide half of the cuts needed in the next decade thanks to existing technologies that are more performant.
“2021 is the year of action when all stakeholders and sectors rally around climate action and the energy system transformation. This is the year to lay out detailed plans to put some specificities, timelines, targets in the growing number of net zero commitments, back those up with tight reporting and verification.”
Mark Radka, Acting Deputy Director of UNEP’s Economy Division
Claire O’Neill emphasized the urgency of adopting a holistic approach to solve the climate crisis by strengthening public private partnership dynamics in the energy sector and putting more focus on the improvement of energy distribution and storage through the accelerated development of new technologies such as carbon capture and storage. She drew attention to the importance of boosting clean energy investments in the developing world that have been dropping back over the past few years. In that respect, she pleaded for multilateralism through existing processes and the vital need for more funding pledges from the developed world to finance and accelerate the energy transition in Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America.
Rebekah Shirley called for a reframing of the global energy transition narrative in order to ensure a just and equitable transition that would better consider the needs of countries from the global south. She raised concerns over the critical implications for those countries to phase out fossil fuels as some of them depend heavily on hydrocarbon reserves, especially vulnerable regions that are not responsible for significant emissions contribution but are at the early stages of developing their own energy markets which are based on local energy resources. Ms. Shirley argued that progress in electrification and decarbonization through technology transfers will have to be complemented by assistance in creating strong structural systems and better governance for southern hemisphere regions to meet their climate target.
Carlo Papa insisted on the fact that new technologies and innovations in the energy sector are already in place to ensure the transition to a free carbon economy, yet it is the financing that needs to be better aligned to achieve the global climate targets. He explained the paramount importance of divesting new investments from traditional fossil fuel ventures which will have a long-term impact on the environment and climate.
For more information on the Citizens Energy Congress click here
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Photos by Citizens Energy Congress