United Nations Environment Programme
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Online event
Energy Action Day
16 September 2021
- Overview
- Agenda
- UNEP-led events
Date: 16 September 2021 Time: 07:30 - 14:00 EST Registration: follow this link
As highlighted in the Sixth IPCC Assessment report, modern society’s continued dependence on fossil fuels is warming the world at a pace that is unprecedented, with such consequences as the record droughts, wildfires and floods that are devastating communities worldwide.
Energy is a key enabler to power our lives, the economy and provide opportunities for development as SDG7 on access to sustainable energy for all underscores. But with energy production and consumption representing around 70 percent of global GHG emissions today, we can only meet the existential threat of climate change through a fundamental transformation of our energy systems, reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 while ensuring affordability, global access to energy and a just transition.
In the margins of the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy, Denmark, IRENA, UNEP and the World Economic Forum will host the Energy Action Day. The Energy Action Day will demonstrate how these best practices and innovations can be rapidly scaled-up to become the new norm. It will highlight and mobilize support for transformative, action-oriented coalitions that are gearing up to accelerate the energy transition in the race to net-zero. It will also showcase the importance of integration and a systems approach to delivering a resilient, net-zero energy system faster and more cost-effectively.
Date: 16 September 2021 Time: 07:30 - 14:00 EST Registration: follow this link
Opening Plenary: Ambitious Energy Transition Action (07:30 – 08:00 EST)
The opening plenary of the Energy Action Day will set the stage for discussions on how to advance energy transitions worldwide at the speed and scale needed to achieve global climate and development goals. It will highlight key challenges and the role of government and private sector actors, individually as well as through partnerships, in raising ambitions.
Session 1: Mobilising Action in Heavy Industry and Transport (08:00 – 09:15 EST)
This session seeks to spark a critical conversation about the radical collaboration required between industry and energy powers in the years to come.
Session 2a: Moving Beyond Oil and Gas (09:15 – 10:00 EST)
The ‘Moving Beyond Oil and Gas’ session will make a compelling case for Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, ahead of its official launch at COP26.
Session 2b: The Role of Cities in Delivering Net Zero Energy Systems (09:15 – 10:00 EST)
Present the crucial role of cities in delivering a net-zero energy transition and explore how support of national governments, private sector, finance and international cooperation can help cities take this lead, including through innovation and investment roadmaps. Launch a new Urban Energy Compact to scale-up support to cities and international cooperation and showcase commitments from partners, countries, and cities in the build-up to COP26 and beyond.
Session 3a: From Coal to Clean (10:00 – 11:00 EST)
The session will showcase how international collaboration can support and accelerate the global transition from coal to clean power. It will also discuss the work that still needs to be done and identify the UK’s key priorities for partners to work on in the lead up to COP26 and beyond.
Session 3b: Youth Solution Movement (10:00 – 11:00 EST)
This session will unpack the potential of a generation of young people skilled and mobilized around achieving our global clean energy goals. During this session, Student Energy will announce the launch of their UN-Energy Youth Compact: The Student Energy Solutions Movement and its goal of scaling global youth training programs and raising $150 million by 2030 to launch 10,000 youth solutions.
Session 4: Scaling Up Renewables, Including Offshore Wind and Green Hydrogen (11:00 – 12:15 EST)
Renewable energy has taken centre stage as a robust solution in the quest for rapid and widespread decarbonisation of the energy system. This session will consider existing developments in offshore wind and green hydrogen and explore actions to rapidly expand the market potential at a global scale. It will also serve as the launch of the Green Hydrogen Compact catalogue – a collection of ambitious commitments from governments, businesses and other stakeholders.
Session 5a: Energy Efficiency: Making the Energy Transition Possible (12:30 – 13:30 EST)
This session will present the key contribution of energy efficiency as “the first fuel” for emissions reduction, energy security, economic growth, sustainable development, alleviating energy poverty, and job creation. Inspire actions to accelerate efforts to deliver EE improvements in buildings, appliances, and equipment.
Session 5b: Mobilizing Investments For Clean Energy Transition in Emerging and Developing Economies (12:30 – 13:30 EST)
The session will mobilize efforts and investments around concrete solutions and action-oriented partnerships for clean energy transitions in emerging and developing economies It will also highlight relevant Energy compacts and other “Bold solutions” and Partnerships in this area and increase global momentum around them
Closing Plenary: Delivering Energy Transition Goals at COP26 (13:30 – 14:00 EST)
The Closing Plenary will highlight key actions showcased throughout the Energy Action Day and their contribution to the transformation of the global energy system. It will focus on what it takes to deliver energy transition goals for COP26 and define the next steps necessary for the step-change in the coming decade. On the eve of the High-level Dialogue on Energy, the session will recall speaker announcements and commitments, establish a powerful, unifying narrative around work to be done and encourage cross- sectoral partnerships to emerge as a result of the day’s activities.
Date: 16 September 2021 Registration: follow this link
THE ROLE OF CITIES IN DELIVERING A NET-ZERO ENERGY SYSTEM (09:15 – 10:00 EDT)
Present the crucial role of cities in delivering a net-zero energy transition and explore how support of national governments, private sector, finance and international cooperation can help cities take this lead, including through innovation and investment roadmaps. Launch a new Urban Energy Compact to scale-up support to cities and international cooperation and showcase commitments from partners, countries, and cities in the build-up to COP26 and beyond.
Moderator: Andy Deacon, Acting Managing Director, Global Covenant of Mayors
Speakers:
- Anna König Jerlmyr, Mayor, Stockholm, Sweden
- Cécile Previeu, Executive Vice President, ENGIE
- Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), India
- Signe Ratso Deputy Director General, Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Irací Hassler, Mayor, Santiago, Chile (TBC)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY – MAKING THE ENERGY TRANSITION POSSIBLE (12:30 – 13:30 EDT)
Present the key contribution of energy efficiency as “the first fuel” for emissions reduction, energy security, economic growth, sustainable development, alleviating energy poverty, and job creation. Inspire actions to accelerate efforts to deliver EE improvements in buildings, appliances, and equipment.
Moderator: Selvin Brown, Director for Energy Efficiency and Local, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Speakers:
- Kudakwashe Ndhlukula, Executive Director of the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
- Malick Ndiyae, CEO, Banque Agricole Senegal
- H.E. Dr Pen Sophal, Secretary of State, Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction, Cambodia
- Jeanne d’ Arc Mujawamariya, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Rwanda
- Jennifer Anderson, Vice President, Strategy, Business Development & Chief Sustainability Officer, Carrier
CLOSING SESSION: DELIVERING ENERGY TRANSITION GOALS AT COP26 (13:30 – 14:00 EDT)
The Closing Plenary will highlight key actions showcased throughout the Energy Action Day and their contribution to the transformation of the global energy system. It will focus on what it takes to deliver energy transition goals for COP26 and define the next steps necessary for the step-change in the coming decade. On the eve of the High-level Dialogue on Energy, the session will recall speaker announcements and commitments, establish a powerful, unifying narrative around work to be done and encourage cross-sectoral partnerships to emerge as a result of the day’s activities.
Moderator: Ulrika Modeer, Assistant Secretary General & Director of Bureau of External Relations & Advocacy, UNDP
Speakers:
- Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities
- Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP
- Michael Bloomberg, UNSG Special Envoy for Climate Ambition
- Fatih Birol, Executive Director, IEA
- Marco Alvera, CEO, SNAM
- Gonzalo Muñoz, COP25 High Level Champion
