Week of 13 – 19th April 2020

100% renewable energy in Europe before 2050. Key technologies and policy instruments for a climate-neutral industry. Combating the dual challenges of climate-related disasters and COVID-19. E-bus adoption and integration. The impact of climate change on health and society. Natural gas as a bridge to climate breakdown. Find out about these and more online events of this week!


13 April, 9:00 – 10:00 PM CEST ( 3:00 PM EDT)
“The Business Case for One-Planet Prosperity” (by the American Sustainable Business Council)

In 2019, Schneider Electric and Global Footprint Network teamed up to invite business leaders to assess how one-planet compatible strategies can deliver differentiation and value in the market. One-planet compatible companies are those companies whose goods and services contribute to humanity’s ability to live within the means of planet Earth, which includes combating climate change. These are the companies that contribute to one-planet prosperity. Come to this webinar prepared to ask questions relevant to your business.

13 April, 7:00 – 10:30 PM CEST
“Taking virtual climate action” (by STAND and TCD)

The webinar will explore: 1) the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on SDG 13 (Climate Action), 2) the biggest issues facing the environment today, 3) actions that are being taken online to combat these issues, 4) how we can develop our own ideas for taking climate action in the online space.

13 April, 10:00 – 11:00 PM CEST (4:00 PM EDT)
“Webinar: Combating Climate Change Through Regulatory Relief” (by Kleinman Center for Energy Policy)

Scholar Hannah Wiseman will discuss developing renewable energy while addressing social and environmental impacts. Transitioning rapidly to renewable energy will be an essential tool to slow the pace of climate change. And easing regulatory requirements for renewables will be a key part of this toolkit. But exempting renewables from land use laws could backfire due to public opposition… 


14 April, 10:00 – 11:00 AM CEST
“Achieving Grid Resilience: Powering Through Off-Grid Renewable Energy” (by Power & Electricity World Africa)

Under a business-as usual scenario, almost 700 million people will still be without access to electricity in 2030, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. One of the most readily-available and viable modern solutions to help address the challenge of growing demand and inaccessibility to electricity, is off-grid renewable energy. We invite you to this interactive webinar to discuss the future of grid resilience in Africa.

14 April, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST
“Key technologies and policy instruments for a climate-neutral industry” (by Agora Energiewende)

The webinar will give an insights of the publication “Climate-Neutral Industry” which analysed potential technology and policy options with a focus on the German industry: What are low-carbon key technologies in the steel, chemical and cement sectors? When can they possibly reach market readiness? What regulatory framework and policy instruments are needed to bring them to the market?

14 April 5:00 – 6:00 PM CEST (11:00 AM EDT)
“COVID, Climate, and the Clean Economy: Gigatrends Changing the World” (by MIT Sloan Management Review)

From the webinar series “Leading Through Radically Changing Times”. Presenter of the webinar is Andrew Winston, globally recognized thought leader on business and sustainability and the coauthor of the international bestseller “Green to Gold”, and author of the popular book “The Big Pivot: Radically Practical Strategies for a Hotter, Scarcer, and More Open World”

14 April, 5:00 – 6:00 PM CEST
“Covid-19 & Climate Change” (by PlanA.Earth and Factory Berlin)

The Webinar on economic and environmental threats and opportunities that come with a pandemic that is capable of shaking economies around the world. From airlines and the cruise industry on the edge of bankruptcy, the politics behind exclusive rights to vaccines, to the biggest challenge of policy change, this event is designed to help you understand what are the environmental goals we can’t afford to miss in 2020.


15 April, 4:00 – 5:00 AM CEST (12:00 PM Australian time)
“Variable Generation, Flexible Demand: The California experience” (by Energy Change Institute, Australian National University)

In places like California, we are moving towards a future where we have to predict variable renewable generation and wondering how best to schedule demand to match it. This is likely to happen in more places as the percentage of renewables approaches higher levels. As the pressure to go zero-net carbon increases, many countries are aiming for 100% renewable electricity generation by 2045-50…

15 April, 2:30 – 4:00 AM CEST (14 April, 5:30 PM PDT)
“From COVID-19 to Climate Change” (by Energy Innovation Network)

This talk will explore the commitment to a zero carbon emitting future, and to investments to support a climate-friendly and socially equitable society. Speaker: Dr. Daniel Kammen, distinguished Prof. of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley

15 April, hours vary
“The CXO’s Guide to Data-Driven Sustainability” (by Qlik)

As the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaches, environmental action has become more important than ever. Executives around the world are discovering new ways to lead in the fight against climate change – including, powerfully, with data. Join the webinar where experts from the United Nations and Qlik will discuss data-driven strategies currently taking place on the front lines. They’ll also present a model your business can use to build sustainability while saving money.

15 April, 10:00 – 11:30 AM CEST
“100% Renewable Energy in Europe before 2050” (by SolarPower Europe and LUT University)

This webinar presents the results of the groundbreaking study on a 100% renewable transition pathway to achieve climate-neutrality before 2050. It will discuss how the European Union can lead the fight against climate change and harvest the benefits of a 100% renewable energy system with solar at its core, delivering a prosperous, secure, and climate-neutral European economy.

15 April, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CEST
“Housing and climate change: Making housing fit for purpose” (by Rural Housing Scotland)

For more than forty years the design and construction of houses in Scotland has focused on building as many ‘units’ as possible, as quickly as possible, for the lowest price. The cost of this – to people, place and the planet – has been significant. An architect Sam Foster will talk through simple principles of what makes housing ‘better’ for everyone. This brief presentation will include examples of housing projects across the UK and Europe that have aimed for better, with some remarkable results.

15 April, 2:30 – 3:30 PM CEST
“Sustainable biomass and low-ILUC-risk options in agriculture” (by European Technology and Innovation Platform)

Growing perennial crops on marginal land in Europe for bioenergy. Results of innovative cropping schemes for integrated food-and-biomass crops. The role of agriculture in soil carbon storage and how to empower farmers. Discussion and short updates on challenges, policy and research trends.

15 April, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“The evolving role of gas engines” (by Power Engineering International)

The twin drivers of decentralisation and decarbonisation have pushed the gas engine to the forefront of the energy transition in many parts of the world. This webinar will highlight the many innovative ways in which gas engines are being deployed, how their technology has evolved, and what fuels they may be running on in the near future.

15 April, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST (10:00 AM ET)
“Globalization, Climate Change, and Cleantech Supply Chains in the Age of Covid-19” (by Initiative for Sustainable Energy Policy)

As governments debate aggressive stimulus packages to encourage an economic recovery and announce bold goals to onshore manufacturing of critical technologies, what are the impacts on cleantech industries and our ability to meet global climate targets? This webinar reviews past attempts to revive domestic economies through green industrial policy strategies and examines their prospects in the context of Covid-19.

15 April, 5:00 – 6:00 PM CEST
“GeoHealth: The Impact of Climate Change on Health and Society” (by Wiley and AGU)

Webinar on the emerging field of GeoHealth, which explores the intersections of the Earth and environmental sciences and health sciences. The webinar will focus on the effects of climate change on health and society.

15 April, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CEST
“Responding to Waves of Extreme Events: Long-Term and Short-Term Sustainability and Resiliency from Philly and Fayetteville” (by Meeting of the Minds)

In the face of a changing climate and responding to COVID-19, city leaders are facing an altogether new reality and paradigm. For cities that lead on climate action, how can they balance addressing critical needs while driving ambitious sustainability and resiliency strategies? How do we design city systems to help the most vulnerable amid overlapping crises? Join us as we speak to sustainability leaders from two cities leading on climate action – Philadelphia and Fayetteville.

15 April, 9:00 – 10:00 PM CEST (3:00 PM EDT)
“Energy Solutions for the Unmanned Ecosystem: A Deep Dive into Trends for Batteries and Fuel Cells” (by AUVSI)

Advanced commercial drone applications including drone delivery and urban air mobility (UAM) will be dependent upon long endurance energy sources, and the infrastructure to support these sources, in order to see widespread deployment. This webinar explores the technological advancements and unique design considerations necessary to successfully hybridize fuel cells and batteries to dramatically advance the future of delivery, UAS, BVLOS and much more.

15 April, 10:30 – 11:30 PM CEST (4:30 PM EDT)
“Trees and Climate Change” (by OBerlin)

This panel will explore the significance of trees and forests in our daily lives and in the broader context of climate change. Why are the trees in our midst as important as those in the Amazon Rain Forest? Will global reforestation efforts have a gradual climate mitigation impact?…


16 April, 5:00 – 6:00 AM CEST (11:00 AM in Kuala Lumpur)
“Oil Economics in Times of Crisis and Energy Transition” (by Center for Market Education)

The price of oil has recently collapsed by more than 50% and this led to global fears of deep fiscal impacts to oil-exporting countries and unemployment in the long value chain of that industry. Why this happened? Can OPEC rebalance the market? Is this the beginning of the end of the “black gold”? This webinar will provide review of the economics of oil and gas production, their market niches and impact of the Covid-19 shock, and the political economy of energy transition.

16 April, 9:00 – 10:00 AM CEST
“Combating the dual challenges of climate-related disasters and COVID-19” (by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction)

Disasters affected more than 68 million people in Asia-Pacific last year. The majority of these were caused by weather-related hazards, fueled by climate change. Now as many parts of the region either prepare for – or already in – cyclone season it raises the spectre that countries may be confronted with a major climate-related disaster at a time when they are firmly focused on COVID-19 response and recovery…

16 April, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST
“Developing a renewable energy project – challenges and good practices” (by Clean Energy for EU Islands)

To support the shift from planning to effective implementation of renewable energy projects on EU islands, in this webinar we will focus on the phases of the development of bankable renewable energy projects, discussing the key obstacles and associated technical challenges, as well as good practices to evaluate and mitigate these risks.

16 April, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
“Report Launch – Powering the Future: Global Offshore Wind Workforce Outlook 2020-2024” (by Global Wind Organisation and Global Wind Energy Council)

Join the virtual launch of a report, “ Powering the Future: Global Offshore Wind Workforce Outlook 2020-2024” addressing the workforce and training required to deliver offshore wind installations in key markets: North America, China (mainland), Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Brazil and South Korea. Don’t miss this Webcast on Wind for concrete insights on the offshore wind supply chain, and a discussion on workforce requirements for the burgeoning global offshore wind industry.

16 April, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CEST (3:00 – 4:00 PM IST)
“Mapping India’s Energy Subsidies 2020: Fossil fuels, renewables and electric vehicles” (by CEEW and IISD)

The webinar marks the launch of IISD and CEEW’s latest update of energy subsidy data from FY 2017 to FY 2019. Transparency about energy subsidies is important so people can understand what support measures exist, how much they cost and how they perform with respect to stated policy objectives. Discussion about the current situation, what it will mean for government interventions in the energy sector—and how experiences from the past two years can help inform the future.

16 April, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CEST
“E-Bus Adoption and Integration: Lessons from Europe and Middle East” (by GIZ)

This webinar will bring global experts sharing their experiences from Europe & Middle East and answer the following questions: How has been their experience in e-Bus deployments/ early assessments and with what benefits? What global best practices can be adopted by Indian STUs/ Transport Authorities for e-Buses induction & integration? What planning/ decision matrix support is being provided to Transport Officials/ Government in overall e-Bus Strategy? What considerations for Cities/ STUs to procure and integrate e-Buses appropriately?

16 April, 12:00 – 1:30 PM CEST 
“How to make good use of the outputs of the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) assessments” (by BuildUp EU)

In the webinar special attention will be devoted to the optimal formulation of EPB requirements, by tailoring them to selected characteristics of each individual construction project. This will be illustrated with practical examples.

16 April, 1:30 – 2:30 PM CEST
“All You Need to Know About CO2 Storage” (by the Global CCS Institute)

Storing carbon dioxide emissions in geological formations deep underground may, to some, sound like science fiction. It is, in fact, a well-understood, permanent and safe technology; one that is vital if we are to reduce emissions, meet Paris targets and achieve net-zero to ambitions…

16 April, 1:30 – 2:15 PM CEST
“Achieving Sustainable Micro-Mobility” (by Ramboll and Future Mobility Finland)

Is micro-mobility helping or hurting our cities? In the past few years, micro-mobility services have been arriving at unprecedented speed and scale to cities that are oftentimes ill-prepared to manage them. In these early years of micro-mobility, the metrics used to describe the programs are limited to general statistics which can make it difficult to measure how well the program is meeting a city’s goals, and almost always impossible to compare one city to another. Join the webinar where Pekka Stenman, traffic engineer at the City of Tampere (Finland) will share Tampera’s experiences with micro-mobility and how they will proceed in the future.

16 April, 2:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“Electricity Market and Trading: Electricity trading 1.0 & what’s the market development outlook for the Energy Community?” (by Energy Community Secretariat)

Electricity markets are characterized by continuous evolution that makes them more complex but better equipped to manage different risks. The webinar will provide an insight on the wholesale electricity market, market places and trading in general. It will look into different market mechanisms that allow market participants to manage risks and materialise their opportunities. Part of the webinar will focus on the market developments in the Contracting Parties of the Energy Community and the objective for an integrated regional and pan-European market.

16 April, 2:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“NDC Enhancement: Opportunities in Agriculture” (by the World Resources Institute)

This webinar will focus on opportunities to foster more productive and more inclusive farming practices, which can also reduce emissions and improve climate resilience, drawing from the publication “Enhancing NDCs: Opportunities in Agriculture”

16 April, 2:00 – 3:30 PM CEST
“Ways to Walk the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Talk: The Water Perspective” (by UN Environment)

The main objective of this webinar is to strengthen and enhance a better understanding of the contribution of water to the implementation of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. In this training, emphasis will be given to explore the threats and the opportunities related to water and its management using the nexus approach. The webinar will also provide an introduction to the third training that will be focusing on the aspect of food.

16 April, 3:00 – 3:30 PM CEST
“The IRENA Electricity Storage Valuation Framework” (by the International Renewable Energy Agency)

Following the launch of IRENA’s Electricity Storage Valuation Framework in March, this webinar hosted by the Power Sector Transformation team at IRENA will give an overview of the report. The webinar will focus on how to assess the value of electricity storage for the power system and create conducive regulatory frameworks for cost-effective storage deployment. The webinar will feature Heather Worley from the World Bank as a guest speaker, to introduce the Energy Storage Partnership, a new international partnership established by the World Bank with over 30 partners (incl. IRENA) to help expand the deployment of energy storage and bring new technologies to developing countries’ power systems.

16 April, 3:00 – 4:30 PM CEST
“Covid-19, climate change and migration” (by Climate Outreach)

Roughly 15 million people are displaced every year by climate and weather related disasters. This year much of that displacement will take place against the backdrop of a pandemic. The webinar will explore how the coronavirus pandemic collides with current patterns of climate-linked migration and displacement, and what this new situation means for the people most at risk. The session will focus on locations and communities that are particularly at risk, and examine the contexts in which these global crises converge.

16 April, 3:00 – 4:00 CEST
“CO₂-oriented energy pricing: Lessons from the German debate for the EU’s smart sector-integration strategy” (by Agora Energiewende)

With the European Commission currently developing a Smart Sector Integration Strategy in the context of the European Green Deal, it is important for policy-makers to reflect on what reforms will be needed to pricing-instruments in the energy sector to achieve the EU’s long-term climate goals. How can it be ensured that the necessary technologies are introduced on the way to climate neutrality? This webinar will provide relevant insights for the discussion from years of debate in Germany on CO2-pricing and the reform of energy-related taxes, levies and surcharges.

16 April, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST 
“Building sustainable, climate-resilient supply chains for your business” (by Edie)

This webinar will bring together a selection of sustainability and supply chain experts to showcase how organisations large and small can engage with suppliers to deliver deep decarbonisation and accelerate climate action.

16 April, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“How wind industry leaders are tackling the COVID-19 crisis” (by WindEurope)

Industry leaders, Philippe Kavafyan, CEO of MHI Vestas and Alfonso Faubel, CEO Onshore CEO of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, will be discussing the short and long term impacts of the COVID-19 on the wind industry and what needs to be done to minimalise this negative impact.

16 April, 4:00 – 5:00 CEST
“Energy transition in Poland. Key data and trends” (by Forum Energii)

The aim of the webinar is to present key data on the state of the Polish power sector and its changes. Production of electricity from coal is decreasing, electricity imports are increasing, the importance of gas in the energy mix continues to grow and renewable energy sources play an increasingly important role in the system…

16 April, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“Does carbon capture and storage (CCS) have a future?” (by TU Delft and Heriot-Watt University)

From the webinar series on geoscience and geoenergy. The speaker is Michael Celia, Princeton University Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Director.
Join Zoom meeting directly here.

16 April, 5:00 – 6:00 PM CEST
“COVID-19. Sustainability. What’s Next?” (by SustainAbility)

Perception shifts as to the role and value of experts, science, government and business in foreseeing and addressing systemic challenges. Analysis of how transparency, disclosure, collaboration and values might evolve in response to the pandemic. Reflections on the ways companies are meeting the moment and the ways societal expectations of the private sector are changing.

16 April, 5:00 – 6:00 PM CEST
“Bringing Power and Progress to Africa Sustainably” (by the Boston University Institute for Sustainable Energy)

The future of electricity supply and delivery on the continent of Africa is a thorny challenge that calls for new approaches to infrastructure planning, development, finance, and operation. Will 20th-century approaches for electricity sector development based on centralized fossil fuel power plants be reinforced – with the potential to greatly exacerbate climate change emissions? Or can investments in 21st-century technologies (such as solar and wind energy, in smaller-scale and paired with storage) allow Africa to leapfrog to an electricity industry that is both more financeable and environmentally sustainable?

16 April, 6:00 – 7:00 PM CEST
“Natural Gas: A Bridge to Climate Breakdown” (by As You Know)

The report “Natural Gas: A Bridge to Climate Breakdown” serves to inform investors about the evolving risks associated with the use of natural gas within the power sector. At a time when investors are paying increasing attention to power utilities’ exposure and contribution to climate change impacts, natural gas infrastructure build-out is expanding rapidly in the United States. As coal’s inevitable decline within the energy system continues, natural gas, which is largely replacing it, is a growing source of climate concern… 

16 April, 7:00 – 8:15 PM CEST (1:00 – 2:15 PM EDT)
“Climate Change in the Time of Coronavirus” (by the Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference)

Join to explore how COVID is affecting our climate, lessons for climate from COVID, and opportunities for climate action in the wake of this global pandemic. You will also have a chance to share your own thoughts and ideas and let us know what you think we should be doing as a community to address this issue.

16 April, 7:00 – 8:15 PM CEST (1:00 – 2:15 PM EDT)
“How COVID-19 Affects the Energy and Climate Agenda” (by EU Delegation in the United States)

The spread of the coronavirus is a severe and unprecedented public health emergency. While the immediate focus is on combating the spread of the virus, the climate crisis and biodiversity loss are still a reality and require continued attention and efforts. Join a virtual policy discussion on the implications of the COVID-19 crisis and future pathways to recovery.


17 April, 3:30 – 4:30 PM CEST
“UN World Water Development Report 2020: Water and Climate Change” (by Water Youth Network, UNESCO)

As the climate changes, so must our management of water. The 2020 edition of the World Water Development Report entitled ‘Water and Climate Change’ helps the water community to tackle the challenges of climate change and informs the climate change community about the opportunities that improved water management offers in terms of adaptation and mitigation…

17 April, 4:30 – 5:30 PM CEST
“Our food system within planetary boundaries” (by Fridays for Future)

At talk with Prof. Johan Rockström who is an internationally recognized scientist on global sustainability issues. He led the development of the Planetary Boundaries framework for human development in the current era of rapid global change. He is a leading scientist on global water resources, applied land and water management, global sustainability.

17 April, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CEST (1:00 PM EDT)
“Environmental Law During the COVID-19 Crisis: Emergency Exemptions and Response” (by American Bar Association)

The COVID-19 crisis is greatly complicating compliance with many environmental laws, since many necessary personnel are not able or permitted to go to work, and many of the needed tasks cannot be done from home. Response to the crisis is also requiring the approval of the use of disinfectants, the manufacture of equipment, and the construction of equipment at a much faster pace than normal environmental processes involve. This webinar with three current and former federal officials will explore the exemptions and other special provisions that have been issued or are contemplated, the emergency authority of the federal government during disasters, and the environmental and environmental justice consequences of these actions.


19 April, 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM CEST (5:00 PM EDT)
“Climate Action Simulation Game” (by Columbia EcoReps)

An online Climate Action Simulation – a group role-playing game where people represent different stakeholders like clean tech, conventional energy, and government. Participants must work together to simulate a scenario that results in less than 2ºC warming.

The En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator is a fast, powerful climate simulation tool for understanding how we can achieve our climate goals through changes in energy, land use, consumption, agriculture, and other policies. The simulator focuses on how changes in global GDP, energy efficiency, technological innovation, and carbon price influence carbon emissions, global temperature, and other factors. These experiences enable people to explore the long-term climate impacts of global policy and investment decisions.