CEM Members Reveal Energy Commitments

Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) members have released a list of commitments to help increase clean energy projects and drive economic growth across the world. The seventh Clean Energy Ministerial took place in San Francisco at the start of this month. The event brought together energy ministers and high-profile attendees from 23 countries.

CEM members, representing 90 percent of global clean energy investment and 75 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, agreed to launch an enhanced effort – called “CEM 2.0” – to increase its effectiveness by creating an international secretariat to support CEM initiatives.

In addition, CEM members, nearly 60 companies and non-governmental organizations, and 10 subnational governments announced more than $1.5 billion in commitments to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and increase energy access. CEM ministers launched three new, high-impact campaigns that will promote the procurement of electricity from renewable energy, commercial and industrial energy efficiency, and advanced cooling technologies.

Ernest Moniz, U.S. Energy Secretary, said: “As one of the first major gatherings of clean energy leaders since COP21, CEM7 is a key tool needed to implement the clean energy goals made in Paris. CEM and the commitments made today demonstrate how the United States and our global partners can speed the deployment of clean energy technologies to meet our climate goals, grow low-carbon economies, and strengthen our energy security.”

Hosted by U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, the meeting included, among others, Maroš Šefčovič, the European Union’s Vice President for Energy Union; Carlos Moedas, the EU’s Commissioner for Research, Science, and Innovation; James Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources; Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, Mexico’s Secretary of Energy; Motoo Hayashi, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; Harsh Vardhan, India’s Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Tord Lien, Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, and Yin Hejun, China’s Vice Minister of Science and Technology. In a video address, President Obama welcomed participants to CEM7. A letter from China’s President Xi then invited participants to China for next year’s CEM meeting (CEM8).

The European Union today announced that, in cooperation with a member state, they will host CEM9 in 2018. European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas, said: “Clean energy is the future. We need innovation to bring down the cost of clean energy and to develop breakthrough technologies. International cooperation is needed to address the global challenge of the energy transition and CEM provides the platform for coordinated action. The European Commission is proud to support this initiative by bringing it back to Europe in 2018.”

James Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, said: “Home grown emission-reducing and clean energy technologies play an increasingly important role in Canada’s economic growth as we support the global transition to a low-carbon economy. Government and private sector investments in clean energy and technology research and development will help us meet our climate change objectives, increase Canada’s competitiveness and support employment opportunities across the country. The progress we are already making on global clean energy cooperation in making clean energy affordable bodes well for the future as we advance common energy, environment and economic goals.”

Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, Mexico’s Secretary, said: “Through the CEM, Mexico with its partners’ supports and commits to transition towards a clean and low carbon energy sector‎, and climate change mitigation. Through CEM initiatives on the power system transformation for renewables and energy efficiency for large users, Mexico’s new energy model promotes a conducive environment for public-private partnerships and investment.”

In addition to the campaigns launched this year, new commitments were announced for efforts initiated at CEM6 and COP21.  These commitments will advance super-efficient lighting, help transform power systems for the 21^st century, improve energy access, and enhance the deployment of clean energy policy expertise.

CEM7 also featured a Start-ups and Solutions Technology Showcase held in San Francisco’s Union Square. The Showcase featured around 100 innovative companies and organizations from six continents demonstrating the breakthrough technologies that will advance the clean energy sector and worldwide economy for years to come.

The week of CEM7 also included other clean energy-focused events such the Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Symposium on Women in Clean Energy, EnergyAccessX, and Power System Transformation.

Speakers and panellists over the two day Ministerial included California Governor Jerry Brown, Apple Vice President Lisa Jackson, EDF RE CEO Tristan Grimbert, PG&E President and CEO Tony Earley, Jr., XPRIZE Foundation Principal Paul Bunje, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz, University of California President Janet Napolitano, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Michael Liebreich, Advisory Board Chairman of Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).  The full roster of ministers and speakers attending is available online.

For all of the CEM Campaign Commitments visit the website.