The 4th Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency kicked off in Goa, bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry professionals, and experts from over 34 member countries. Concurrently, the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and 8th Mission Innovation (MI) Meeting began on the same day, adding to the enthusiasm and spirit of collaboration to advance clean energy together. The event was inaugurated by the Government of India, with special addresses from CEM Troika members (USA and Brazil) and representatives from CEM and MI Secretariats.
CEM14 / MI8 Overview:
The theme for this year’s CEM14 / MI8 Meeting is “Advancing Clean Energy Together,” highlighting the shared commitment among nations to accelerate the transition towards sustainable energy solutions. The event witnessed an impressive turnout of over 800 individuals, including CEM Workstream coordinators, international agencies, researchers, and policy experts, among others. Moreover, over 50 partners organized about 30 side events, delving into various clean energy themes.
Technology and Cultural Showcase:
As part of the CEM14 / MI8 Meeting, a public-facing Technology and Cultural Showcase was held at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa from July 19th-22nd, 2023. The showcase was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, and featured cutting-edge clean energy technologies from India and around the world. It encompassed areas such as Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen, and other emerging clean technologies, providing an interactive platform for knowledge exchange and learning.
Key Sessions and Discussions:
Several significant sessions took place during the first day of the event, addressing critical topics related to clean energy and sustainability.
- Financing Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage (CCUS): This session brought together commercial banks, multilateral development banks, governments, and industry representatives to explore strategies for making CCUS projects more financially viable and attractive.
- Nordic Rally to the Valley & Nordic Green Sailing: The session organized by Nordic Green Valley focused on enhancing cooperation and knowledge sharing between Nordic countries and others to accelerate innovation and deployment of Hydrogen Valleys.
- Sustainable Production and Use of Clean Fuels: Discussions in this session centered around concerns related to the sustainable production and use of biomass feedstocks for renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials, and the need to boost investor confidence in bio-based products.
- Advancing Global Action on Sustainable Cooling: Highlighting sustainable cooling as a priority topic, this session urged global action and preparedness to combat extreme heat and promote climate-friendly cooling solutions.
- Gigatonne Opportunity Initiative: Stakeholders from the public and private sectors joined forces to present solutions on the gigatonne scale and strategize for COP28. The call to action came from the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub.
- Clean Energy Compacts for Net-Zero Emissions: India’s dedication to a clean energy future and its commitment to SDG7 were showcased through ambitious Energy Compacts aimed at achieving net-zero emissions while ensuring universal energy access.
- Diverse Carbon Removal Technologies: Panellists discussed the potential of various carbon removal technologies, including nature-based solutions, direct air capture, and carbon capture and storage, and their synergy in achieving net-zero emissions.
The 4th Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting, along with the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation Meeting, exemplified the collaborative efforts of over 34 member countries in advancing clean energy solutions. The event provided a platform for robust discussions, knowledge exchange, and innovative ideas to drive global clean energy transition and address environmental challenges. As the meetings progress, the collective commitment to advancing clean energy together remains the focal point, setting the stage for a sustainable and resilient energy future.
