Decarbonizing buildings. Hydrogen transition summit. 100% clean, renewable energy and storage for everything. Net-zero America. Strengthening the climate justice and energy democracy movements. Mitigating biodiversity impacts associated with solar and wind energy. Retrofitting district heating and cooling – How to develop a successful action plan. Skill building for the energy transition. Discover these and more online events of the week!
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Biodiversity & Environment
24 February, 14:00 – 15:30 CET
“Mitigating biodiversity impacts associated with solar and wind energy” (by International Union for Conservation of Nature – IUCN)
As renewable energy sources, combined with measures to enhance energy efficiency, scale-up to address the climate crisis, it is critical that this expansion of solar and wind power does not lead to further biodiversity loss or ecosystem impacts. To address this challenge, IUCN and The Biodiversity Consultancy, in collaboration with partners from conservation and the energy sector, have developed new guidelines “Mitigating biodiversity impacts associated with solar and wind energy development”. During the event, experts will outline their main findings and discuss practical, science-based best approaches recommended to help all actors better manage the biodiversity risks associated with solar and wind projects.
25 February, 14:30 – 16:30 CET
“The State of Finance for Nature: Initial Findings & Case Studies” (by UNEP)
The purpose of this virtual workshop is to provide insight into the preliminary findings of the forthcoming joint UNEP, GIZ, and WEF report on the State of Finance for Nature. Send your RSVP to Aurelia Blin at blin@un.org to receive an email containing information about joining the meeting.
25 February, 20:00 – 21:00 CET
“Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture: A Whole Planet Approach” (by WWF)
3 billion people around the world depend on fish as a vital source of nutrition and up to 10% of the global population, particularly in developing countries and coastal communities, relies on fisheries for their livelihood. While fisheries and aquaculture produce lower greenhouse gas emissions than other agricultural food systems, there are risks and challenges from poor management, climate change, and illegal exploitation. Join to hear about the work WWF is doing to reverse marine species and ecosystem declines, buffer the effects of climate change, and provide financial and food security for local communities. Register here.
Climate Policy & COP26
22 February, 14:00 – 15:00 CET
“Climate justice & achieving Net Zero” (by University of Oxford)
This discussion in the Oxford Net Zero Series, hosted by the Oxford Martin School, turns the spotlight on the climate justice aspects of the research programme on Net Zero. Join Oxford academics from the Department of Politics and International Relations, School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, and Faculty of Law as they discuss the equity, justice and distributive aspects of reducing and removing GHG emissions in pursuit of Net Zero. The discussion will explore the crucial importance of (and opportunities for including) justice and distributive aspects in the framing and operationalization of the Paris Agreement’s global temperature goal and Net Zero in an unequal world.
22 February, 15:00 – 16:30 CET
“Joining Forces: Strengthening the Climate Justice and Energy Democracy Movements” (by Transnational Institute and Friends of the Earth Europe)
As the climate catastrophe is rapidly unfolding, more and more people are getting organised to demand climate justice and build energy democracies. These movements sometimes but not always overlap, even though they have much in common: to turn the fight against corporate, extractive powers into just transition pathways towards pro-public energy systems that are democratic, socially just and generative. How can we build a stronger movement for climate justice and energy democracy, tackling the climate crisis, as it intersects with accelerating social, economic and political crises? What can we bring to and learn from each other? What challenges have we experienced and/or must we anticipate? And what needs to be done towards COP26 and in the following years of this very decisive decade?
23 February, 4:00 – 6:00 CET
“Pacific NDC Dialogue: Enhancing and Implementing the Pacific SIDS Commitments to the Paris Agreement through Energy Transformation” (by International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA, UK COP26 Presidency and Regional NDC Pacific Hub)
The dialogue will act as a forum for cross-regional discussion on driving and building momentum on climate action in the lead up to COP26, through enhanced NDCs, understanding of the domestic energy sector transformations and through long-term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS), and exploring the vital role that energy transformation is contributing to the Pacific SIDS recovery efforts from COVID-19, climate action and sustainable development.
23 February, 14:00 – 16:30 CET
“State of the European Green Deal – avoiding overlap and maximizing synergies between policy instruments” (by European Roundtable on Climate Change and Sustainable Transition – ERCST)
There are 12 policy proposals expected from the European Commission by June 2021, ranging from revising the existing climate and energy policies to introducing new fiscal approaches (both within the EU and at the border) and using new sources of revenues to speed up the transition. While it should be expected that a coherent policy package will be proposed in June, each individual proposal will inevitably be subject to separate Trilogue negotiations. Ahead of to the spring 2021 European Council (25-26 March), this session will look at how the various measures planned in the ‘Fit for 55’ climate and energy package play together, what emphasis is being put on pricing carbon, and if there are potential risks for waterbed effects and overlap in its implementation. Draft agenda of the event here.
23 February, 19:00 – 20:30 CET
“Leveraging Nature-Based Solutions to Drive Down Emissions” (by Center for Climate and Energy Solutions – C2ES)
This webinar will examine how companies can approach using nature-based solutions to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, including the most effective use of resources when investing in nature-based solutions, understanding the growing role of carbon removal in reaching net-zero emissions, and the criteria companies should consider when selecting projects. The webinar will also explore how to leverage natural solutions to reduce emissions within and outside a company’s value chain.
23 February, 21:00 – 22:00 CET
“Net-Zero America” (by U.S. Clean Energy States Alliance)
“Net-Zero America: Potential Pathways, Infrastructure, and Impacts”, a report issued in December by a large team centered at Princeton University, analyzes five possible pathways for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It has been praised as the most thorough examination to date of deep decarbonization strategies. It quantifies and maps the infrastructure that will need to be built and the investment that will need to be made to achieve net-zero. It shows how jobs and health will be affected in each state. In this webinar, the report’s three co-principal investigators will describe the report’s methodology and highlight findings that will be of special interest to state policymakers.
24 February, 15:00 – 16:30 CET
“The Greta Effect: Visualising climate protest in UK media and the Getty images collection” (by Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations)
The webinar will explore media representations of 2019/2020 climate protests.
25 – 26 February
“EU Climate Adaptation Strategy 2021” (by Fondazione CMCC – Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici)
The European Commission will release the new and more ambitious EU Adaptation Strategy on February 24th, 2021. The Strategy complements the proposed European Climate Law and sets to foster adaptive capacity and socially-just transformations to climate-resilient society, fully adapted to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. During this event, members of adaptation and disaster risk reduction communities will discuss how to reach these goals and accelerate adaptation actions. The number of participants is limited, pre-register soon to secure your seat here.
26 February, 20:00 – 21:30 CET
“U.S. Federal Policies for High Emitting Sectors” (by Environmental and Energy Study Institute – EESI)
This online session will discuss the sectors with the highest carbon emissions, and highlight policy mechanisms to reduce emissions in each sector—power generation, industry, buildings, transportation, and agriculture. Each of these sectors has unique challenges in reducing carbon emissions. Federal policymakers have an array of options to address these challenges through coordinated action, thereby maximizing impact across sectors…
Energy Efficiency
24 February, 16:00 – 18:00 CET
“Decarbonizing Buildings” (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT)
The construction and operation of buildings account for more than 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Dramatically reducing emissions from new and existing buildings globally is therefore central to any emissions mitigation strategy. As the 8th session of the Energy Innovation series, this webinar features four leading MIT researchers to discuss a variety of pragmatic as well as more visionary options.
Renewables & Energy Transition
22 February, 16:00 – 17:00 CET
“Hunting for the Next Milestone in the Renewable Energy Transformation in Latin America” (by International Association for Energy Economics)
In this webinar, the leading team of the winning proposal, will present the new Chilean Clean Technologies Institute, its main objectives, it`s expect positive regional, on the country and internationally impact, contributing to reduce CO2 emissions with new technologies, a more sustainable mining industry, and take advantage of the vast lithium and solar resources that exist in the country. Where Chile, looks ahead for the opportunity to become exporters of renewable energy products, such as green hydrogen, ammonia, and synthetic fuels, benefiting from new markets and industries, and unleashing novel pillars for economic development and job creation while supporting other countries to meet their NDC ambitions.
23 & 25 February
“Hydrogen Transition Summit” (by Climate Action)
An increasing number of nations are including hydrogen as a key aspect of their transition strategies, with some already having dedicated hydrogen plans. As governments are due to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP26, hydrogen will play a critical role in meeting 2030 targets and beyond. The Hydrogen Transition Summit is presented in 4 sessions over 2 days exploring the role of clean hydrogen as a key driver of the transition to net-zero. The Summit brings together over 1,000 stakeholders from across the policy, investment, technology and regulation spectrum to discuss the key action points needed in order to make the hydrogen economy a reality. Register here.
23 February, 9:20 – 10:30 CET
“Industrial heat pumps for greener European industry” (by European Heat Pump Associations – EHPA)
One of the aims of this event is to stress the contribution potential of large heat pump technologies to the decarbonization of Europe’s manufacturing sector. It’s aim is to present the benefits of using renewable and waste energy in industrial processes to reduce their energy demand, organize energy in circular flows, in particular by re-using waste and thus increase the competitiveness of European manufacturers.
23 February, 9:30 – 11:00 CET
“Retrofitting district heating and cooling – How to develop a successful action plan” (by Celsius Initiative, Upgrade DH and KeepWarm Project)
In order to decarbonise the energy system in the shortest possible time, it is essential to implement practicable and available solutions now. To decarbonise the heating sector, specifically, it is key for this transition to be systematically defined, so that all those relevant stakeholders at the EU, national and local level, are involved in a harmonised way. During this webinar you will explore how to develop successful action plans to retrofit district heating networks in Europe, learning from concrete case studies from the two abovementioned projects, such as Germany and Slovenia. Speakers will analyse expected legislative challenges and recommended solutions to successfully overcome them.
23 February, 12:00 – 12:30 CET
“Skill Building for the Energy Transition” (by International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA)
Building the skill base necessary for achieving the energy transition requires the implementation of education and training policies and programmes that address the need to reskill and upskill the existing energy workforce as well as educate a new generation of energy professionals. This webinar will share preliminary findings from the upcoming brief on renewable energy education and training and will showcase examples of policies and initiatives including public-private partnerships for training; enhanced curriculum frameworks; teacher training; ICT utilisation for skill delivery; and recruitment of underrepresented groups.
24 February, 17:00 – 18:00 CET
“100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything” (by Leonardo Energy)
In this webinar, Mark Jacobson will introduce his new book that lays out the science, technology, economics, policy, and social aspects of a transition to 100% clean, renewable energy in order to address climate change, air pollution, and energy insecurity. Considering the EU Green Deal, the US Green New Deal and China’s climate neutrality commitment, this book is a very timely and welcome addition to the transition movement.
24 February, 22:00 – 23:00 CET
“Electricity system in crisis: How to improve reliability and resilience before the next disaster strikes” (by Atlantic Council Global Energy Center)
The energy system in the United States is in crisis. Residents across Texas have no electricity, no heat, and no water, and are fending for themselves as power outages extend for days in subfreezing temperatures. The world is already in an urgent fight to protect the planet from climate change, but the extreme weather events over the last year show that the time to update energy planning, processes, and infrastructure to prepare for more frequent and intense climate-induced natural disasters is already upon us. Join for a dynamic public conversation as experts discuss ensuring grid reliability and resilience amid increasingly severe weather events, like that affecting the state of Texas, and the ongoing energy transition.
25 February, 12:00 – 14:00 CET
“Digitalization – Energy Markets of Tomorrow” (by World Wind Energy Association – WWEA)
With the power sector in many countries shifting towards very high shares of renewable energy and ultimately a full renewable energy supply, new challenges will come up related to how such complex market can function. Obviously the general trend of digitalisation creates new opportunities and can lead to higher efficiency. Accordingly, new management and transaction models are being developed and applied, in parallel with new regulatory frameworks. Accordingly, the webinar will present latest trends in market digitalisation and will discuss actual and potential solutions. A special focus will be on how wind and other renewable sources can be integrated and how cross-sector coupling can look like. Register here.
25 February, 14:00 – 16:00 CET
“Hydrogen potential in Energy Communiy contracting parties” (by Energy Community Secretariat and European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators – ACER)
The Energy Community Secretariat explored the potential of hydrogen production, transport and use in the Contracting Parties. ACER undertook a first assessment on the energy transition aspects as applicable to gas infrastructure and the current possibilities for admixing hydrogen and injecting biomethane or transporting pure hydrogen via existing gas networks, as well as network adaptations to allow this in the future. Join the first webinar of the new hydrogen series to discover more. Register here.
25 February, 14:00 – 17:00 CET
“Strategies for Digitalisation of Electricity Systems” (by International Energy Agency – IEA)
Digitalisation is at the core of power system transitions. Digital technologies enable and compound the benefits of coordinated deployment of interconnected distributed energy resources. This joint webinar will compare the approaches taken in the development of emerging digitalisation strategies around the world and discuss key principles and practices for countries currently shaping their own. Register here.
25 February, 15:30 – 17:00 CET
“Companies in Transition Towards 100% Renewable Energy: Focus on Heating and Cooling” (by International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA)
This webinar will gather public and private sector stakeholders to discuss key opportunities and challenges faced by companies setting and implementing corporate renewable energy heating and cooling targets, including how policies can be designed to effectively encourage the use of renewable heating and cooling in industry. Discussions will include successful examples of companies that are transitioning to 100% renewable energy and have set ambitious renewable energy targets for their heating and cooling operations. Register here.
25 February, 19:00 – 20:00 CET
“State of the U.S. Energy Storage Industry: 2020 Year in Review” (by Clean Energy States Alliance – CESA)
CESA’s annual lookback at the year in energy storage will cover advances in the U.S. market, including deployment trends, policy and regulatory updates; the state of the art in energy storage technologies; and the market outlook for the coming years. This webinar is a presentation of the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Partnership (ESTAP). ESTAP is a federal-state funding and information sharing project that aims to accelerate the deployment of electrical energy storage technologies in the U.S. Register here.
26 February, 11:00 – 12:30 CET
“Cybersecurity, Digitalisation and the Electricity Grid in Europe” (by currENT)
This currENT webinar examines the role of new and innovative technologies in climate-proofing our electricity grid to meet the challenges of the European Green Deal. Increasing levels of renewable energy sources – and increasingly proactive engagement with customers – require smarter and more innovative ways to optimize and reinforce our electricity grid. Digitalisation is a key part of the solution, but it will come with new cybersecurity challenges. The European Commission is developing a new strategy on digitalisation of energy, but is also drafting a new network codes on cybersecurity issues. Join to discover more. Register here.
Sustainability & Circular Economy
22 – 23 February
“Fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly: Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” (by United Nations)
UNEA-5 provides Member States and stakeholders with a platform for sharing and implementing successful approaches that contribute to the achievement of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, including the goals related to the eradication of poverty and sustainable patterns of consumption and production. UNEA-5 will also provide an opportunity for Member States and Stakeholders to take ambitious steps towards building back better and greener by ensuring that investments in economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to sustainable development.
22 February, 12:00 – 13:15 CET
“Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE) Launch event” (by UNEP, European Commission and UNIDO)
Finding ways to make global resource extraction and processing more sustainable is essential for keeping humanity’s footprint within planetary boundaries. Bringing together governments and relevant networks and organisations, the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE) aims to provide a global impetus for initiatives related to the circular economy transition, resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production, building on efforts being deployed internationally.
23 February, 13:00 – 14:00 CET
“Reinventing the smart city: an African way” (by ICLEI)
The concept of Smart Cities is typically presented as a vision for centralised information, management and automation of urban systems, often sold to local government as a complete solutions package. However, it may be more appropriate as a celebration of how Information Communication Technology (ICT) can empower citizens with knowledge tools that support agency, participation and expression in cities. This webinar will present both technical and policy perspectives on implementing smart principles in African cities, and consider how the concept can take appropriately African approaches to promoting equitable resource access, employment creation and creative expression in our cities.
23 February, 15:00 – 16:00 CET
“Network Resilience in Human-Environmental Systems” (by Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change – CMCC)
What can the topology of networks tell us about security and resilience of our coupled social-environmental commodities? While the interconnectedness and complexity of our social-environmental systems have increased considerably, our understanding of the dynamic behavior of these systems has not kept pace, and therefore, we see that the importance of the resilience of social-environmental systems to shocks and or disturbances continues to grow in the rhetoric surrounding sustainable development. This presentation overviews how the topology of networks can convey to us important insights on the security and resilience of our social-environmental systems, for example, such as water, energy, food, and trade networks.
24 February, 17:00 – 18:00 CET
“Gastrophysics & Sustainable Consumption” (by University of Oxford)
While gastrophysics, the new science of eating, has primarily been explored in the context of fine dining, there are numerous insights and understandings that can be applied to help nudge us all toward a more sustainable food future, both for ourselves and the planet we inhabit. In this talk, I want to highlight some of the latest findings concerning how to sense-hack our experience of a variety of sustainable foods from insects to jellyfish and leafy greens. I will also take a look at the future of technology at the dining table – considering what role digital technologies may play in our food future, be it augmented reality, sonic seasoning, or dining with a variety of digital companions…
25 February, 13:00 – 14:00 CET
“Amsterdam’s Journey to a Circular City” (by ReThink)
During the webinar you will hear from Marieke van Doorninck, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam for Spatial Development and Sustainability, who will talk about the practical experience of the City of Amsterdam in implementing circularity. Why Doughnut concept and what does this mean? What were the biggest challenges to get this process started? Which projects are already going on and what’s planned for the near future? How does the city cooperate in circular transformation process with the central government, businesses and NGOs? The discussion will also be around how developing cities & regions could embark on this journey while having far less financial resources and capacities than those richer countries.
25 February, 13:00 – 15:00 CET
“Connecting sustainable energy businesses with education: Getting the Workforce You Need” (by World Bank and UNEP)
This event will help employers and educators connect to prepare the workforce for the green economy. The clean energy transition is creating new job opportunities around the world. With the rapid expansion of renewables and energy efficiency, along with technology disruptions, the needed skill sets of tomorrow’s workforce are going to be significantly different. How can the private sector connect with educational and training institutions to prepare the workforce for clean energy and the green economy? The intended audience for this webinar is businesses and organizations in the green economy and clean energy sectors, higher education institutions, and workforce developers. Register here.