Cost and uncertainty of climate mitigation. Role of natural solutions in climate change action. Global fracking industry in crisis. Smart and flexible electric heat. European climate law: how to reach climate neutrality? Role of hydropower in state clean energy policy. COVID-19, debt relief, and the climate and biodiversity crises. Find out about these and more online events of the week!
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7 September
“International Day of Clean Air for blue skies” (UNEP and multiple organisations from around the world)
This first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies aims to build a global community of action that encourages cooperation at the national, regional, and international levels. It calls on countries to work together to tackle air pollution and provide clean air for all. The theme of the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is “Clean Air for All”. It invites all to consider how we can change our everyday lives to reduce the amount of air pollution we produce. Participate in online events happening around the world. Discover more in social networks under hashtag #CleanAirForAll.
7 September, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST
“The Power-to-x opportunity: markets, technologies and costs” (by ATA Insights)
Power-to-X is a number of electricity conversion, energy storage, and reconversion pathways that use electric power to produce climate-neutral gases, liquids and feedstock. It includes the production and use of green hydrogen but also goes beyond (e.g. green ammonia or synthetic kerosene). Energy carriers produced with Power-to-X technologies can be used to increase the flexibility in the energy sector or as fuels in transport sector. This webinar analyzes the market, technology and cost-opportunity of Power-to-X: (1) Where is the market potential for Power-to-X? Understand its role in decarbonizing industries, transportation, and the energy sector, (2) The green hydrogen market in detail: analyse current favourable legislation in Europe and beyond, available technology, and ongoing value chain, (3) Hear from industry experts about the economic viability of Power-to-X solutions and the countries currently promoting its development.
8 September, 9:00 – 10:00 AM CEST
“Healthy environment, healthy lives” (by Friends of Europe and European Environment Agency)
Nature is central to our health. In the EU, however, almost one in seven deaths is attributable to environmental pollution. Socially deprived communities are more exposed to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures, and COVID-19 adds an extra burden. Protecting and restoring our environment – in particular in cities – can combat pollution, improve health and foster social cohesion. This online debate explores solutions to tackle the link between environmental pollution and inequality. A high-profile group of policymakers and key experts in the field will share their views and address questions from the online audience. Watch live broadcast of the event:
8 September, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM CEST
“Adaptation to Climate Change and the World of Work” (by European Trade Union)
Consequences of climate change will impact the world of work in many ways. In the in view of the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, organisers want to present sector-oriented examples, best practice as well as concrete policy recommendations that were developed with members and experts. Register here.
8 September, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST
“Challenges and opportunities for green stimulus: Talking with journalists” (by Clean Energy Wire – CLEW and Internationale Journalisten-Programme)
Meet and talk with journalists from Central- and East Europe on challenges and opportunities for green stimulus in their region. What are the challenges and opportunities in bolstering the economy and simultaneously building a climate-compatible future? Register here.
8 September, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST
“Corporate PPAs – Opportunity for decarbonisation: Current and future considerations from a commercial and legal perspective” (by Aurora Energy Research)
Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) between renewables developers and larger corporates have become increasingly popular. In this webinar, energy market experts and legal experts will present key commercial and legal considerations for successful PPAs for corporate offtakers. To aid offtakers in their commercial valuation for a PPA, experts will provide an overview of the power market dynamics and the relevant long-term developments (including e.g. the impacts of the coal and nuclear exits and the further renewable buildout), and will focus on the relevant commercial considerations for the determination of a “fair market value” for a PPA from an offtaker perspective.
8 September, 12:00 – 1:30 PM CEST
“Loss and damage – research, policy and lived experience in least developed countries” (by International Institute for Environment and Development – IIED)
The webinar features least developed countries’ (LDCs) national experts sharing their research and lived experience of loss and damage. The discussion aims to ensure that loss and damage remains a priority issue in the lead up to COP26.
8 September, 2:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“Challenging African urban visions – using futures literacy to reimagine our cities” (by ICLEI)
Are we locking ourselves into stale futures? Do current visions of African cities actually support our desires for sustainability? Have we spent the time to think about what could work for us, based on shared values, and generation of shared meaning? This webinar presents ‘futuring’ as an approach by which people can become more comfortable with the possibilities of the future. This webinar presents different reasons and methods for imagining the future, diversifying beyond planning and the effort which impose today’s visions on tomorrow – a form of colonizing the future. Instead, we offer approaches for reengage with futures in more open ways.
8 September, 2:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“Strategic Energy Planning in Urban Districts from a Policy Perspective” (by AREA 21 Project)
This webinar provides a forum on the current issues of energy improvement policy and collaborative processes in the strategic planning and implementation of energy solutions. It focuses on recommendations to improve action on energy efficiency at the local and regional levels. Particular attention will be paid to the role of cooperation among energy stakeholders and across levels of government, and methods to encourage and support this. Register here.
8 September, 8:00 – 9:00 PM CEST (2:00 PM EST)
“The Role of Hydropower in State Clean Energy Policy” (by Clean Energy States Alliance – CESA)
The Clean Energy States Alliance’s new report “The Role of Hydropower in State Clean Energy Policy” describes the treatment of hydropower in state clean energy policies and offers strategies for reducing barriers to hydropower’s development. Join this webinar with report authors. Speakers will offer introductory remarks and provide information on U.S. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) hydropower programs and DOE’s upcoming U.S. Hydropower Market Report.
9 September, 9:30 – 11:00 AM CEST
“European Climate Law: How to reach climate neutrality?” (by Euractiv)
This virtual conference will debate whether the European Climate Law will create winners and losers. Should transition technologies be used in order to achieve immediate CO2 reductions in all Member States, or can EU countries leapfrog to zero-emission technologies, like renewables? How best to take advantage of all existing technologies in order to realise the full decarbonisation potential of the EU economy, leaving no one behind? How to make sure that Member States struggling with transition challenges benefit from additional financial support from EU funds – Modernisation Fund, Just Transition Fund, and other mechanisms of financial solidarity?
9 September, 9:30 – 11:50 AM CEST
“Cities & the Renovation Wave: Impactful District-Level Approaches” (by Celsius Initiative)
The European Commission’s flagship initiative the “Renovation Wave” aims to decarbonise the European building stock. Two-thirds of existing buildings are likely to remain in use by 2050. Smart district energy networks are a crucial prerequisite for the large-scale utilisation of low-carbon and renewable energy sources in cities. The EU Council has underlined the need to include district heating and cooling networks in the scope of the “Renovation Wave”. Meanwhile cities and regions alike have already started implementing similar approaches with heat network pilots and renovations going hand in hand. During this workshop, speakers will discuss how the “Renovation Wave” will provide support to cities and regions to decarbonise their building stock and hear about local approaches that are already under way in Europe.
9 September, 2:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
“Zero Waste” (by European Green Capital Network – EGCN)
This event offers guidance, insider tips and the opportunity to learn and exchange experiences on sustainable waste management, circular economies and responsible consumption. The webinar accompanies the launch of the ‘Zero Waste’ toolkit, created by the Network, which includes case studies, videos and resources for cities. Register here.
9 September, 3:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“Demonstrating the Need for Sustainable Phosphorus Management in Lakes: Global Case Studies” (by UNEP and Global Partnership on Nutrient Management)
This webinar is an opportunity to discuss the key issues, responses and collaboration on sustainable phosphorus management, while presenting important case studies from the lake regions across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The webinar serves as a prelude to the upcoming report: “Our Phosphorus Future” providing a scientific consensus from the global scientific phosphorus community on how to best deliver phosphorus security. Register here.
9 September, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“COVID-19, debt relief, and the climate and biodiversity crises” (by International Institute for Environment and Development – IIED)
This webinar is an online discussion on how debt relief can be addressed through climate and nature programme swaps. This online event will bring together experts to discuss the use of debt for climate and nature programme swaps as a tool to address poverty, the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. What are the opportunities and challenges of such an approach? What role can creditors from multilateral organisations and bilateral governments, and debtor governments play? And to what extent can such an approach support a sustainable post-COVID-19 recovery?
9 September, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“The Future of Electricity Utilities” (by Florence School of Regulation)
Challenged by decentralized energy resources and storage, plus smarter consumption management via advanced digitalization, what businesses are to replace GrandMa “Integrated Utility’?
9 September, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“Sparking an Era of Transformational Climate Leadership” (by World Resources Institute – WRI)
Join this blunt and visionary conversation on what it will take to overcome barriers to exponentially ramp up climate action. You will hear from prominent youth activists, podcasters, low-carbon futurists, elected and corporate leaders, philanthropists, and researchers… how are we falling short? What climate solutions demand more of our attention and that of our peers, and what are dangerous and costly distractions? And ultimately what are the big, breakthrough ideas that will enable society to finally come to grips with the climate crisis, despite the political headwinds? Register here.
9 September, 4:00 – 5:40 PM CEST
“Energy Communities and prosumers in Europe” (by INFORSE Europe)
During the webinar, experts will discuss how to use EU rules and what needs to be to improved. Speakers will cover the following topics: (1) how to turn EU support for sustainable energy communities into national action and support, (2) good and bad practices and on expectations for EU rules for energy communities in Germany, (3) good examples and concerns from Denmark for energy communities.
9 September, 4:30 – 6:00 PM CEST
“Decline and Fall: The global Fracking Industry in Crisis” (by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung)
The oil and gas industry is in a deep crisis globally. The fossil system is coming under pressure on the one hand from the ever cheaper renewables, and on the other hand from the necessary and politically requested energy and transport transition. The consequences are lower prices, lower profits and stranded assets at all levels. But what about fossil natural gas, which is still propagated by many as a “lesser evil” and “bridging technology” into a climate-friendly future? In this online seminar, speakers will look at the prospects for the gas industry worldwide. They will examine the industry’s current and future financial risks and ask what international trends have to do with the gas industry in Europe and Germany and what role banks, insurance companies and financial markets can play in the necessary phase-out of fossil gas. Register here.
9 September, 6:00 – 7:00 PM CEST (12:00 PM EST)
“U.S. Regional Electricity Market Governance and Market Rules for Energy Storage” (by Dartmouth College)
This event is a part of online conversations with early-career energy researchers. The webinar includes a presentation by Stephanie Lenhart, a senior research associate at Boise State University whose primary research focus is on the governance of energy systems, inter-organizational collaboration, and energy transitions. Her work addresses policy implementation and the negotiation of authority in polycentric systems.
9 September, 6:00 – 7:00 PM CEST (12:00 PM EST)
“The Opportunity for Climate Progress with a Green Stimulus in the US” (by Center on Global Energy Policy, the Breakthrough Institute and Data for Progress)
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unemployment to reach levels last experienced in the United States during the Great Depression. Given the depth and breadth of the COVID-19 recession, economic stimulus and recovery packages will be key to bringing the unemployed back into the workforce and deploying capital throughout the economy. The prospect that at least a portion of an economic stimulus plan can simultaneously accomplish climate policy priorities (a “green stimulus”) has drawn considerable interest. Join experts who will discuss the opportunity for climate progress with a green stimulus in the United States following the 2020 election. Register here.
9 September, 6:00 – 7:00 PM CEST (12:00 PM EST)
“A New Spin on Conservation Corps” (by Environmental and Energy Study Institute – EESI)
Several different conservation corps currently offer opportunities to get Americans involved in shovel-ready projects on federal lands, providing participants with work experience, skills, and a paycheck while contributing to national climate and sustainability goals. Speakers will discuss a variety of conservation corps and the policies that help them thrive. Watch live broadcast of the event here.
9 September, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CEST (1:00 PM EST)
“Impact Through Entrepreneurship” (by Bloomberg)
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the priorities of governments, corporations and citizens globally, while also accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and equitable world. What important lessons have we learned and what solutions can we begin to implement now to create positive social impact globally? Entrepreneurs act as catalysts of innovation, ideating solutions to local issues that can be scaled to global proportions. During this online session, you will hear how entrepreneurs are responding to the most critical global challenges, what big business can do to help scale these innovations, and the top lessons that can be the top lessons that can be applied to your business to create long term value.
9 September, 8:00 – 9:30 PM CEST (2:00 PM EST)
“Climate Change Action: The Role of Natural Solutions” (by Stanford University Woods Institute for the Environment)
If November’s US elections bring new political leaders who intend to tackle climate change, they will need to act swiftly and decisively and be prepared to implement a portfolio of research and analysis-based solutions. Among the best available options are natural climate solutions: nature-based methods for safely capturing and storing greenhouse gases that fuel climate change. Such approaches are increasingly recognized as playing a critical role in meeting emissions targets and can garner bipartisan support. This webinar will address topics such as: the national and global scope of opportunities, the role of different kinds of incentives, and opportunities and risks for co-benefits to soil fertility, food security and forest health. Register here.
9 September, 9:00 – 10:00 PM CEST (3:00 PM EST)
“Power After Carbon: Findings and Insights for State Policymakers” (by Clean Energy States Alliance – CESA)
In May 2020, Peter Fox-Penner published “Power After Carbon: Building a Clean, Resilient Grid”. This important book emphasizes the indispensability of large power systems, battery storage, and scalable carbon-free power technologies, along with the grids and markets that will integrate them. It discusses how the electricity system can decarbonize even as regulators and electric utilities “continue to deliver on other key performance objectives.” This webinar will focus on findings and recommendations from the book that are especially relevant to state policymakers who are considering strategies for moving towards 100% clean energy for their state’s electricity sector.
10 September, 10:00 – 11:15 AM CEST
“Ammonia: The missing link in the hydrogen story?” (by Euractiv)
Join this virtual conference to discuss the role of ammonia in the future EU net-zero emission strategy and how can it be integrated in the hydrogen strategy. Can ammonia fill the role as storage and transportation carrier of renewable hydrogen? What kind of infrastructure investment would be necessary for this to happen? What kind of public support for investment would be necessary? Can fertiliser producers mix renewable hydrogen with fossil-based hydrogen in a transition towards net-zero? Will the maritime sector of the future be based on using carbon-free ammonia as a fuel?
10 September, 1:00 – 2:00 PM CEST
“Smart and Flexible Electric Heat” (by Energy Futures Lab)
The electrification of heat is anticipated to play a major role in the UK’s efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Heating demand is highly variable between seasons and time of day. To take maximum advantage of low-carbon generation, and to respect the limitations of the distribution grid, electricity loads for heating will need to be flexible. Energy Futures Lab’s latest briefing paper explores the potential for smart flexible low-carbon electric heating in UK homes and the challenges for consumer engagement. This paper considers four key elements for enabling smart, flexible and cost-effective electric heating in UK homes: low-carbon heating systems to replace fossil fuel use; cost-reflective electricity pricing to incentivise load- shifting; thermally efficient buildings to reduce consumption and enable pre-heating; and smart storage devices to enable load-shifting.
10 September, 1:00 – 2:00 PM CEST
“Promoting Renewable Energy Technologies for Sustainable Development in Africa post COVID19” (by Africa Renewable Energy Initiative – AREI and International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA)
This webinar aims to gather insights from relevant technical experts on how technology innovation and digitalization in the power system can shape a socially inclusive energy transition towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals and the Agenda 2063. The discussion will bring together African and non-African technical institutions, international organisations, the private sector and civil society.
10 September, 2:30 – 4:00 PM CEST
“How to raise Europe’s climate ambition for 2030?” (by Agora Energiewende)
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), rescheduled to take place in Glasgow from November 1 to 12, 2021 will be a crucial moment for the Paris Agreement. To ensure the success of the conference, the EU has a clear responsibility to make a substantial contribution to increasing climate action by raising its outdated climate target framework. In this context, the European Commission has announced that by September 2020 it will present a comprehensive plan for increasing the EU’s 2030 climate target to at least 50% and towards 55% greenhouse gas emission reductions compared with 1990 levels. In this webinar, experts will present key findings from a recent report on the topic and discuss political implications.
10 September, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CEST
“The Cost and Uncertainty of Climate Mitigation” (by NAVIGATE and Centro European Institute on Economics and the Environment – EIEE)
The costs of climate policy are uncertain and depend on a wide range of factors, including uncertainties in socio-economic and technology development but also in the climate system. During the webinar, speakers will illustrate and discuss the role of different uncertainties based on a metamodel from climate and integrated assessment models. Climate system uncertainty dominates at high warming levels, but uncertainty in emissions reductions costs dominates for the Paris Agreement targets. In fact, costs differences between different socio-economic development paths can be larger than the difference in median estimates for the 2 °C and 1.5 °C targets. Join to find out more.
10 September, 3:00 – 5:30 PM CEST + 11 September, 3:00 – 5:00 PM CEST
“Benchmarking long-term scenario comparison studies for the clean energy transition – Expert Workshop” (by Energy Union Unit of the Joint Research Centre – JRC and International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA)
Long-term energy scenarios (LTES) support policy debates, provide strategic insights to businesses, and as such mitigate uncertainty, risks and unnecessary costs for the society. JRC recently published a study “Towards net-zero emissions in the EU energy system – Insights from scenarios in line with the 2030 and 2050 ambitions of the European Green Deal”, while IRENA is coordinating a campaign on “Long-term Scenarios for the Energy Transition”. This 2-day workshop will gather experts from institutions that have carried out scenario comparisons in an effort to (1) map the motivation, the focus and the methods of such studies, (2) provide a platform to discuss a systematic and formalised approach to scenario comparison and to shed light on good practices, (3) identify how scenario comparison results and insights can be used in policymaking within the clean energy transition.
10 September, 4:00 – 7:00 PM CEST (10:00 AM EST)
“Enhancing investment in soil health and carbon storage: Frontiers for linking finance and carbon accounting” (by CCAFS, The Nature Conservancy, 4 per 1000 Executive Secretariat, World Bank and the Meridian Institute)
The purpose of this webinar is to support investment-oriented actions promoting soil health and carbon storage by improving the accounting of soil carbon sequestration. We seek to answer the question: How can soil carbon accounting improve to support investment-oriented actions promoting soil health and carbon storage? Participants will examine opportunities for action using novel methods and frontier technologies that enable linking technical practices with finance and policy for accurate and cost-efficient soil organic carbon accounting. Register here.
10 September, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CEST (1:00 PM EST)
“Innovative Pathways to Developing Solar+Storage in Low-Income Communities” (by Clean Energy States Alliance – CESA)
This webinar, presented by Clean Energy Group, will showcase Norfolk Solar and the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) Fund formed to advance renewable energy generation, storage, and racial equity in low-income communities in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, US. Register here.
10 September, 8:00 – 9:00 PM CEST (2:00 PM EST)
“The 2020 Living Planet Report” (by WWF)
The Living Planet Report, published by WWF every two years, documents trends in biodiversity and the health of our planet. The report provides scientific evidence to what nature has been telling us repeatedly: unsustainable human activity is pushing the planet’s natural systems to the edge and the life-giving resources that humans rely on are at stake. Join fellow WWF supporters to hear WWF’s Chief Scientist’s perspective on the report’s findings and its implications for human health. Register here.
11 September, 10:00 -11:00 AM CEST
“A Holistic Approach to Energy Transition” (by ManagEnergy EU)
This online talk will examine the many co-benefits of addressing the climate challenge along with the risks of exacerbating other environmental and societal challenges in the process. Invited expert will also highlight changes in how climate change has been framed through her experience in the media and with civil society organisations. Register here.
11 September, 5:30 – 7:00 PM CEST (11:30 AM EST)
“Electric Vehicles and their Health Benefits” (by Climate Reality Project Canada)
Did you know that air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills more than 14,000 Canadians every year by causing heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, cancer and more? By comparison, car accidents kill fewer than 3,000 people in Canada per year. Adopting electric vehicles (EVs) significantly reduces air pollution, saving thousands of lives annually, while provides $10,000 in societal benefits per car, and helping Canada get up to 50% closer to its 2030 GHG targets. During this presentation, you will learn more about the many benefits of adopting EVs, including the health benefits of reducing air pollution from fossil fuel combustion. Register here.