Just transition to a circular economy: employment trends and visions for the future. A path for the decarbonisation of the buildings sector. Impacts of COVID-19 and recovery packages on climate change mitigation action. What have we learnt from past emergencies. Building forward better: prospects for green recovery efforts. The Emissions Gap Report 2020. Find out about these and more online events of the week!
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14 December, 2:00 – 3:30 PM CET
“A just transition to a circular economy – Employment trends and visions for the future” (by Sitra, Circle Economy and International Institute for Sustainable Development – IISD)
A shift to a circular economy will change job markets considerably: some jobs will disappear, new jobs will emerge and many jobs will change in nature. To ensure a fair transition, it is important to assess and manage the impacts of the transition to a circular economy on the labour market. This event focuses on the skills and employment in a circular economy. You will hear insights from three recent studies on the topic followed by a panel discussion with leading experts. Register here.
14 December, 2:00 – 4:00 PM CET
“Energy Technology Perspectives 2020: a path for the decarbonisation of the buildings sector” (by International Energy Agency – IEA)
The buildings sector accounts today for 28% of global energy-related emissions when upstream power generation is included, and 38% when accounting for the manufacturing of building construction materials. Energy Technology Perspectives 2020 analyses the role that technologies and innovation will need to play in ensuring a rapid and cost-effective energy transition. During the webinar, IEA experts will present the implications of achieving a net-zero emissions global energy sector by 2070 for buildings, as well as the additional technology innovation needs to advance that milestone to 2050. Register here.
14 December, 2:00 – 5:00 PM CET
“The European Green Deal & Nature-based Solutions” (by International Union for Conservation of Nature – IUCN and UNEP)
The event’s objectives are to create continued momentum towards nature-based solutions (NbS) for people, biodiversity and climate and to demonstrate the potential of NbS to address our global challenges. The event will tackle both the internal and external dimensions of the Green Deal, focusing on action by the EU and its Member States, but also looking beyond, into the global agenda. The virtual dialogue will feature high-level representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society and the finance sector.
14 December, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET
“Governance of Nature-Based Approaches to Carbon Dioxide Removal” (by C2G Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative)
What are these nature-based approaches to large-scale Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and what role could they play in managing climate risk? What do we know about the potential risks and benefits associated with these approaches? What do we know about the readiness, potential cost and sustainability of NBS? The webinar aims to present a detailed overview of ‘nature-based solutions’ (NBS) to large-scale CDR to audience interested in understanding the basic principles, as well as the benefits and risks associated with this suite of approaches to CDR and the underlying governance issues associated with it. Register here. Watch live broadcast of the event here.
14 December, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET
“World Energy Outlook 2020: Brazil launch” (by International Energy Agency – IEA)
The World Energy Outlook, the IEA’s flagship publication, provides a comprehensive view of how the global energy system could develop in the coming decades. This year’s exceptional circumstances require an exceptional approach. The usual long-term modelling horizons are kept but the focus for the World Energy Outlook 2020 is firmly on the next 10 years, exploring in detail the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the energy sector, and the near-term actions that could accelerate clean energy transitions. Register here.
14 December, 3:00 – 4:15 PM CET
“The Emissions Gap Report 2020” (by United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP)
This online event features presentations and discussion of the key findings of the report. Despite a dip in carbon dioxide emissions in 2020, the world is still heading for a 3.2°C temperature rise this century – far beyond the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C. The webinar sheds light on the extent to which current COVID-19 fiscal rescue and recovery measures support low- or high-carbon development, and discusses the newly announced net-zero emission goals in the context of shorter term ambition and action. Furthermore, it looks into the roles of international shipping and aviation and of behavioral and lifestyle changes in bridging the gap. Register here.
14 December, 4:00 – 5:15 PM CET (10:00 AM EST)
“Fostering talent for the ocean economy” (by The Economist)
Countries around the world have turned their attention to “blue” opportunities as they look to rebuild their economies. A sustainable and inclusive ocean economy can create jobs while helping make progress towards shared sustainability goals. This event will consider how people can be encouraged to make an impact in the ocean economy. Speakers will discuss actionable solutions that businesses, academic institutions and governments can implement to equip people with the skills they will need to enjoy thriving careers in marine industries five, ten and fifty years in the future. Register here.
14 December, 5:30 – 6:30 PM CET
“Burdens of the past, burdens of the future? US climate policy in the world in a time of transition” (by Graduate Institute Geneva)
President Trump was profoundly committed to fossil fuels as the key energy in US source, in part because of the significant support of the oil and gas industries, his dislike of environmentalists, his obsession with overturning the Obama legacy and his dislike of international agreements unleashed a tsunami of rollbacks on climate policy and practice many of which have already passed through the courts. Joe Biden, on the other hand has pledged to be the climate president. How much can the Trump legacy be undone, and what can Biden do to move forward? How do these look nationally, internationally and through the optics of climate justice? Register here.
14 December, 6:00 – 7:00 PM CET
“American Energy Innovation: The Federal Policy Landscape” (by Resources for the Future – RFF)
Decarbonizing the US economy will require substantial investment in research, development, and deployment of technologies that have not yet entered the marketplace at large scale. There is bipartisan support for federal policy to support such clean energy innovation—particularly under the auspices of the American Energy Innovation Act, a multi-billion-dollar piece of legislation currently under consideration in the US Senate. Panelists will discuss what parts of the innovation ecosystem policy can most readily support; how past innovation policies in the United States have fared, both in the energy sector and elsewhere; how the private sector takes signals from policies; and how the discussion around energy innovation policy has unfolded on Capitol Hill over the past. Register here.
14 December, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CET (12:00 PM EST)
“Building a New Grid Without New Legislation” (by Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and New York University School of Law’s Institute for Policy Integrity)
Expanding and strengthening the transmission grid is a key enabler of an affordable and rapid transition to a zero-carbon power sector in the United States. However, it has become conventional wisdom that sufficient development of new long-distance high-voltage transmission projects is not practically achievable due to onerous state requirements for permitting and acquiring land for such projects. Congressional action could certainly address the regulatory and barriers that currently prevent long-distance high-voltage transmission from being developed at the necessary speed and scale. However, according to new research the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could use existing authorities to overcome state regulatory obstacles and advance transmission development, even without new Congressional action. Register here.
14 December, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CET (1:00 PM EST)
“The view from U.S.’ coal communities: Local perspectives on the energy transition” (by Atlantic Council Global Energy Center)
As the United States continues its transition from coal and other fossil fuels to clean energy, there is increased commitment, including from President-elect Biden, to the country’s workers and communities who have long produced fossil fuels. In anticipation of a new administration and the need for broad economic redevelopment following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is both a challenge and opportunity to ensure that these communities can prosper within the clean energy future. Previous federal economic development efforts have had varying degrees of success. Alternatively, at the community level, innovative and impactful efforts are well underway. Discussion between community and national policy leaders can foster sustainable policy approaches to ensure a prosperous future for these communities. This event will present past federal initiatives and feature the perspectives of influential local leaders. Register here.
15 December, 9:00 – 10:00 AM CET
“GREEN TALK: Climate Investment Platform” (by International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA, Danish Embassy in Abu Dhabi and State of Green)
To achieve a global green transition, large investments are needed to scale and accelerate the solutions and projects to be implemented. Solid financing models are vital if the green political goals for the future are to be reached. In order to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that global annual investments in renewable energy have to double from around EUR 280 billion per year today to EUR 635 billion per year towards 2030. During the webinar, speakers will discuss potential climate investment models and the platform IRENA has launched to scale up climate action and translate ambitious national climate targets into concrete investments on the ground, the Climate Investment Platform.
15 December, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CET
“SolarPower Europe’s EU Market Outlook for Solar Power 2020-2024” (by SolarPower Europe)
The year 2020 has been a big year for Energy and Climate policies in Europe, following the Nov. 2019 announcement that the EU would commit to achieve climate-neutrality by 2050 and convert these climate ambitions into a new growth strategy – the European Green Deal. Moreover, this is the year when EU member states have to meet their 2020 renewable targets and the EC presented an assessment on the ambition levels of the member states’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPS), which details the measures to comply with the EU 2020 targets. On top, Europe has been hit very hard by the Coronavirus, resulting in an unprecedented restructuring effort by the EC with the fight against climate change at its core. Against this background, SolarPower Europe will present its annual 5-year EU Market Outlook for Solar Power 2020-2024. Register here.
15 December, 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM CET
“A sustainable path to climate neutrality: How can energy utility operators contribute?” (by Euractiv)
A final agreement on the EU’s 2030 climate target is expected before the end of the year. Significant increase in ambition requires a complete overhaul of the energy system, its infrastructure, and the respective EU policy framework, as mentioned in the EU strategies on hydrogen and energy system integration. Industry stakeholders argue that a well-integrated energy system, building on the complementarity between electricity and gases, will deliver a sustainable decarbonisation path, both environmentally and economically, for the EU. Join the event to discuss how energy utility operators can contribute to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and what that means for infrastructure planning. Register here.
15 December, 3:00 – 3:30 PM CET
“Net-zero iron and steel production: challenges, options and what needs to happen now” (by International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA)
The iron and steel sector is a major energy user and a major emitter of CO2. In 2017, the sector accounted for 32 EJ of total global final energy use, and in 2018 it produced 7-9% of total global CO2 emissions. Drawing on the analysis presented in IRENA’s Reaching zero with renewables report and building on key takeaways from the discussions in the 3rd IRENA Innovation Week, this webinar will provide insights into the challenges the sector faces and the main options and actions needed for deep-decarbonization of the sector. Register here.
15 December, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET
” ESG investing: a spotlight on the ‘S’ “ (by The Economist)
On the fringe for many years, Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) investing has now entered the mainstream. While the ‘E’ and the ‘G’ previously held the spotlight, the coronavirus pandemic has placed a bright light on the ‘S’. As the social ramifications of covid-19 spread, investors have called on companies to do their bit to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees. But how can investors effectively embed the social factor into their decision-making? How can they overcome the challenges that persist? In this webinar, speakers will ask how social factors can be defined, measured and quantified. How can robust data be generated? How can standardised criteria be developed? What information do investors need from companies? Register here.
15 December, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET
“Governance of Direct Air Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage” (by C2G Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative)
This topic aims to present a detailed overview of Direct Air Capture and Carbon-Dioxide Storage (DACCS) to an audience interested in understanding the basic principles of DACCS, as well as the benefits and risks associated with this Carbon Dioxide Removal approach and the underlying governance issues associated with it. It seeks to answer the following questions: What is DACCS and what role could it play in managing climate risk? What do we know about the potential risks and benefits associated with this approach? What do we know about research, readiness, potential and cost of DACCS? Register here. Watch live broadcast of the event here.
15 December, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET
“Carbon leakage and use of offsets in carbon markets” (by Florence School of Regulation – FSR)
The speakers will discuss questions such as: how do the existing emission tranding systems (ETSs) differ with respect to carbon leakage prevention and to the use of offsets? Can ETS linking, which tends to limit carbon price differentials with other economies, play a role in reducing carbon leakage? To what extent can the article 6 of the Paris Agreement facilitate ETS linking while as the same time supporting the use of offsets? What are the implications of heterogeneity in carbon leakage measures and in environmental integrity for different possible forms of their integration? Register here.
15 December, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET
“Translating numbers into action: presentation of the policy brief on Building a Paris Agreement Compatible (PAC) energy scenario” (by European Environmental Bureau – EEB and Climate Action Network Europe)
The current debates on the European Green Deal, the Recovery and Resilience Facility or the Trans-European Network are opportunities to translate numbers into action. To learn more about the NGOs’ concrete proposals to make EU policy Paris Agreement compatible, join this last joint event of the year. Register here.
15 December, 3:00 – 5:30 PM CET
“Building Back Better in Informal Settlements as a Step Towards More Sustainable Urbanization” (by UNECE)
Recovery from the crisis involves rethinking how informal settlements can be included in a city’s urban fabric. This means implementing fair and equitable access to water, energy and transportation; ensuring informational resources are widespread; and improving citizens’ opportunities to engage in participatory decision-making processes. The workshop will focus on how to design, implement, and monitor equitable access to resources for those living in informal settlements. Moreover, the workshop will consider the implications of these measures for inclusivity and civic participation. The three main themes of the workshop include transportation, water, and energy. Register here.
15 December, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CET (12:00 PM EST)
“Stepping up to the plate: how Canada can meet ambition on phasing out fossil fuel support” (by International Institute for Sustainable Development – IISD, Global Subsidies Initiative, Environmental Defence Canada and Oil Change International)
Under the Paris Agreement on climate change, Canada committed to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Yet the country is set to miss this target, in part due to ongoing support for fossil fuels. In fact, a recent scorecard ranked Canada last among G20 OECD countries for progress in ending fossil fuel support, even as the federal government committed to net-zero by 2050. This webinar will present Canada’s current state of fossil fuel support and identify where the problem spots are, comparing to other G20 countries. Register here.
15 December, 7:00 – 8:15 PM CET (1:00 PM EST)
“The Future of Europe: Can the EU Lead the Fight against Climate Change?” (by Columbia Global Centers, European Institute and Alliance Program)
Participants in the debate will discuss the European Green Deal: What has been achieved since the launch of the EU Green Deal in December 2019? What is the impact of the Covid crisis on efforts to address climate change? How is the EU partnering with other international actors to fight climate change? Register here.
15 December, 9:00 – 10:00 PM CET (3:00 PM EST)
“Using Overbuilding + Curtailment to Achieve 100% Clean Electricity” (by Clean Energy States Alliance – CESA)
As part of the Minnesota Solar Pathways project (U.S.), Clean Power Research analyzed alternative pathways to achieving 100% renewable energy production across the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) service territory. The resulting Solar Potential Analysis—MISO Region showed that overbuilding plus curtailment of PV and wind resources was the most cost-effective implementation strategy. Overbuilding + curtailment acts as “implicit storage” enabling these resources to deliver 100%-ready power 24/365 without fail while using only a small affordable fraction of the seasonal storage reserves that would be required otherwise. In this webinar lead analyst Marc Perez will discuss the project’s findings and will refer to similar projects that he has conducted for other locations around the world. Register here.
16 December, 8:00 – 9:15 AM CET
“Action on transport urban infrastructure and impacts to support social and economic recovery in Indonesia” (by International Energy Agency – IEA)
This webinar focuses on modal shift in cities in Indonesia in response to Covid-19. The webinar looks at action being taken on urban infrastructure due to the impacts of the Covid-19 crisis. It explores how social distancing and modal shift has resulted in new walk and cycle infrastructure. The discussion addresses steps to ensure successful implementation, including engagement with stakeholders. It looks at ways to understand and quantify impacts in terms of distance cycled and health benefits, including data collection needs and approaches. Municipal and local governments are often responsible for local infrastructure and thus can be key drivers of efficiency action which has impacts at the national level, particularly in the context of economic stimulus and air quality objectives… Register here.
16 December, 9:00 – 10:30 AM CET
“Chemicals and Waste Briefing” (by Geneva Environment Network)
The briefing will review the outcomes of the negotiations related to chemicals and waste in 2020, with the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic and present the important conferences scheduled in 2021. Register here.
16 December, 9:00 – 11:00 AM CET
“Official launch event of the European Climate Pact” (by European Commission)
The European Climate Pact invites everyone to take action to fight climate change and work together for a climate-friendly society. What can you expect to see at the launch? Climate talks by special guests focusing on concrete climate actions in our everyday life, ntroducing the first #EUClimatePact Ambassadors, a discussion on upcoming Climate Pact pledges and participation of Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for the European Green Deal.
16 December, 10:00 – 11:00 AM or 4:00 – 5:00 PM CET
“Local Governments and Municipal Authorities Roadmap Towards COP26” (by ICLEI)
Yunus Arikan, Head of ICLEI Global Advocacy orients local governments on the important issues of multilevel governance and where we are in the global climate negotiations. ICLEI acts as the focal point of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency. Register here (10:00 AM session) or here (4:00 PM session).
16 December, 10:00 – 11:00 AM CET
“Green Cooling in Public Procurement” (by GIZ and Green Cooling Initiative)
In many countries, space cooling in public buildings accounts for over 50% of building related GHG emissions. This share comes along with an enormous mitigation potential. Despite opportunities to cut energy costs and GHG emissions and thereby acting as a lighthouse, public entities often struggle to procure state-of-the-art cooling technologies. Whereas advancing building codes and improving building design to reduce the cooling demand is the ultimate sustainable way forward as long-term measure, immediate actions can be undertaken by promoting more efficient air conditioners (ACs) using climate-friendly refrigerants. This webinar is about assessing ways to advance the procurement of climate-friendly and energy-efficient ACs.
16 December, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CET
“Climate Policies: Tools to Support Gender Equality” (by CUTS International)
This virtual seminar aims at raising awareness of public and private stakeholders on the issue of gender-conscious climate change policy; as well as promoting exchanges among relevant policy makers, climate negotiators, from developing and developed countries,staff from relevant international organizations and civil society representatives. The first session will aim at “Setting the scene: How is gender considered in climate policies around the Globe?”; while the second session will focus on “Moving forward: How climate policies can become more gender conscious?”. Zoom access here.
16 December, 2:00 – 3:30 PM CET
“What have we learnt from past emergencies and future outlook” (by UNEP and UN OCHA)
The COVID-19 pandemic has only been the latest, very powerful wakeup call on the links between environment ans emergencies. Disasters, crises and the environment are intrinsically interconncted. Therefore, a key element of emergency response is the rapid identification and mitigation of environmental risks. Join the last event of the webinar series on readiness for and response to the environmental dimensions of emergencies, with a special focus on managing these challenges in the face of COVID-19. Register here.
16 December, 2:00 – 2:45 PM CET
“International Energy Policy – a new impetus for a change in global energy markets” (by Florence School of Regulation – FSR)
EU has decided to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Japan, South Korea, South Africa has announced similar ambition, China is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060. There is a strong expectation of substantial change in the US energy policy by incoming Biden administration in support of limiting GHG emissions. At the same time economies of Saudi Arabia and Russia continue to depend strongly from fossil fuel production and export. How to make a smooth transition from fossil fuel markets to markets working in support of climate friendly energy policy? How to provide that energy supplies are secure, affordable and sustainable? How to forge forward looking energy partnerships? What role could play international organisations and multilateral fora for dialogue? How to advocate the advantages of the energy transition? Register here.
16 December, 3:00 – 4:30 PM CET
“Winds of Fire and Smoke: Air Pollution and Health in the Brazilian Amazon” (by RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment)
Join to learn about the effects of fire-related smoke on population health in the Brazilian Amazon. Register here.
16 December, 4:00 – 5:15 PM CET
“How to talk climate? Engaging all EU citizens in the climate discussion” (by Euractiv)
Climate science and technology are complex topics with a high potential for controversy. But ensuring people adequately understand the climate challenges is an essential element of the global response to the climate crisis. ‘Climate literacy’ is playing an increasingly important role in helping citizens to understand the issues and orient them towards action and social change. Inaccessible language and the failure to create an inclusive debate around climate change risks delaying citizen engagement and action. Join this virtual discussion on how the strengthening of climate education and engagement can be one of the most effective ways to achieve carbon-neutral societies by 2050. And who should take the lead…..policymakers, teachers, media, climate activists? Register here.
16 December, 5:00 – 6:00 PM CET (11:00 AM EST)
“Next Steps for a Climate-Sincere US President?” (by International Association for Energy Economics – IAEE)
Those who are worried that a President Biden won’t be able to legislate cap-and-trade might take heart in the fact that other leading jurisdictions are relying on regulations more than is sometimes recognized. And that the design of these regulations is crucial when it comes to the trade-off between political acceptability and economic efficiency. In this webinar, Mark Jaccard, a Canadian academic economist and government policy advisor, discusses some of the evidence on mixing pricing and flexible regulations in jurisdictions that are leading in the GHG mitigation battle. Register here.
16 December, 6:00 – 7:00 PM CET (12:00 PM EST)
“Book Talk: Making Climate Policy Work” (by Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy)
For decades, the world’s governments have struggled to move from talk to action on climate. Many now hope that growing public concern will lead to greater policy ambition, but the most widely promoted strategy to address the climate crisis – the use of market-based programs – hasn’t been working and isn’t ready to scale. Danny Cullenward and David Victor in their book “Making Climate Policy Work” show how the politics of creating and maintaining market-based policies render them ineffective nearly everywhere they have been applied. Reforms can help around the margins, but markets’ problems are structural and won’t disappear with increasing demand for climate solutions… Register here.
17 December, 9:00 – 10:20 AM CET
“Building Forward Better: Prospects for Green Recovery Efforts” (by Partnership for Action on Green Economy – PAGE and Geneva Environment Network)
As attention turns to managing the economic fallout from COVID-19 and the roots of this pandemic to avoid future crises, national and global recovery plans will be instrumental for the future of our planet, especially in support to the green deal strategies announced by various EU Member States. The recovery will bring diverse opportunities to accelerate the transition to a greener and more sustainable future. The European Green Deal, presented in December 2019 to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, is at the core of the European Union recovery plan from the COVID-19 pandemic. Korea took the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to invest in green and digital technology with its Green New Deal launched as part of the Korea New Deal in April 2020… Register here. Watch live broadcast of the event here.
17 December, 10:00 – 11:00 AM CET
“Perspectives for Solar Energy in Egypt” (by ATA Insights)
Egypt is taking steps to expand the share of renewables in the energy mix to 42% by 2035 from the current 10.8%. So far, most renewable energy projects have been developed by IPPs and generated $3 billion worth of investments, but a lot remains to be done. According to new expansion plans, PV will account for 22% of electricity production and CSP for 3%. In this webinar, renewable energy experts will give you an insider’s view into the opportunities and challenges awaiting you in Egypt’s solar energy market.
17 December, 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET
“Net-zero emission scenarios for climate policy: how to move from political ambition to country-level pathways” (by International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC)
This event will bring together global leaders and experts to discuss the importance of long-term energy scenarios (LTES) in guiding ambitious climate objectives, and how to better align LTES with the Paris Agreement through long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies. Long-term energy scenarios (LTES) are effective tools for policy makers to agree on how to achieve ambitious goals. While LTES have been used for decades to guide energy policy, the great energy and socio-economic transformation that the net-zero emissions target entails pushes the boundaries of LTES further. Register here.
17 December, 3:00 – 4:30 PM CET
“GEO-6 Technical Summary: How to incorporate the Global Environment Outlook into University Curricula” (by United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP)
The sixth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6), UNEP’s flagship integrated environmental assessment was published in March 2019, during the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly. The report stresses that the scale of the environmental challenges we face requires true transformational change in how we produce and consume energy and food as well as how we manage waste, rather than simply incremental policies and business as usual. Among the long list of ongoing damage to life and health from air pollution, water pollution and land degradation, the report warned that zoonotic diseases are already 60 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases and that pandemics could occur… Register here.
17 December, 3:00 – 4:30 PM CET
“Impacts of COVID-19 and recovery packages on climate change mitigation action” (by RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment)
The rapid and ongoing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to societal lockdowns and unprecedented policy measures in most countries around the world. These COVID-19 response measures have resulted in a multifaceted shock on the world economy pushing many countries into a deep recession and affecting both supply and demand. The key question is whether and how the COVID-19 shock will affect emissions and climate change mitigation efforts in the longer term. Researchers in the NAVIGATE project are currently investigating the implications of COVID-19 and recovery packages on climate change mitigation action, mainly focusing on three categories of impacts that have the potential to substantially influence climate policy developments: Macro-economic impacts, impacts on demand and lifestyles and impacts on inequality. In this webinar, the researchers will present concepts and first results of their analyses. Register here.
17 December, 3:30 – 4:00 PM CET (9:30 AM EST)
“Key technologies to accelerate geothermal energy development” (by Atlantic Council Global Energy Center)
With the right technologies, geothermal energy can play an important role in the energy transition. Tim Latimer will discuss how to incorporate horizontal drilling and distributed fiber optic sensing to dramatically increase the productivity and lifetime of geothermal wells. He will also describe technological innovations that minimize the environmental impact of geothermal development while reducing costs. Register here.
17 December, 4:00 – 5:00 PM CET (10:00 AM EST)
“Recommendations for Preparing Distributed Energy Resources Roadmaps and Plans” (by Climatelinks and CEADIR – Climate Economic Analysis for Development, Investment and Resilience Project)
Distributed energy resources (DER) include distributed generation, smart transmission and distribution grids, energy storage, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, demand response, and energy efficiency. DER create major new opportunities for cost savings, service reliability and quality improvements, and reductions of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from electricity. However, DER integration and bidirectional flows of electricity increase operational complexity for utilities, power markets, and end users. Join the event to explore findings and recommendations of CEADIR’s report with recommendations for preparation of a DER roadmap or plan, including a three-phase process and resources for data collection and analysis. The report draws on the experiences of U.S. utilities, regulatory agencies, and market operators that have participated in state or regional DER roadmaps and plans in the U.S., Colombia, Mexico, and Vietnam. Register here.
17 December, 5:00 – 6:15 PM CET (11:00 AM EST)
“Five Years Later: Celebrating the Paris Agreement and Charting the Path Forward” (by World Resources Institute – WRI)
Join this virtual event where speakers will celebrate what the Paris Agreement has accomplished thus far and reflect on what further efforts are needed to exponentially step up climate action. European ambassadors will outline the bloc’s continued resolve to lead the charge – such as through the European Green Deal, its green recovery from COVID-19 and a bolder national climate commitment under the Paris Agreement. Register here.
17 December, 7:00 – 8:00 PM CET (1:00 PM EST)
“Closing the Energy and Transportation Affordability Gap for Connecticut’s Low- and Moderate-Income Households” (by Clean Energy States Alliance)
According to a recently released report, combined spending on energy, transportation, and housing in Connecticut households (U.S.) exceeds affordable levels in areas throughout the state. On average, these costs are 49% statewide, which is above the 45% threshold for affordability. Low- and moderate-income households are being burdened at a higher rate – 68% – than wealthier residents because these costs consume a larger portion of a household’s income. In this webinar guest speakers will discuss the findings of an October 2020 report, “Mapping Household Energy and Transportation Affordability in Connecticut”. The report details how costs for these basic needs impact rural and urban communities in Connecticut, and it highlights gaps and opportunities in existing clean energy programs. Register here.
17 December, 8:00 – 9:00 PM CET (2:00 PM EST)
“The Great Monarch Migration” (by World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
Each year monarch butterflies migrate from southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States to hibernate in the forests of Mexico. There, a less extreme climate provides them a better chance to survive. Their annual migration—between 1,200 and 2,800 miles—is considered one of the most incredible phenomena in the animal kingdom. Preserving the monarchs’ remarkable journey requires action, especially in light of threats such as climate change, land conversion, and forest degradation. Join us to hear from María José Villanueva and Eduardo (Lalo) Rendón from WWF-Mexico about what is being done to address the threats to this cherished and imperiled species, and how our work involves and benefits local communities. Register here.
18 December