Panel Discussion by GE Vernova, WGEO Partner
Mr. Mazin Albahkali, CEO, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC)
Ms. Anna Shpitsberg, Chief Climate Officer, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
Mr. Joseph Anis, President & CEO, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Gas Power at GE Vernova
Mr. Landon Derentz, senior director and Morningstar Chair for Global Energy Security, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
Energy demand is expected to double by 2040. This reflects both unmet needs, with up to 760 million people around the world still lacking access to reliable power, and the expanding role of electricity in modern economies, including electrification of transportation and other industries, the growth of data centers and artificial intelligence, and more.
Some worry that this energy super-cycle could slow down the transition to net zero, especially as geopolitical concerns escalate and drive the need for energy security to the top of the agenda, sometimes at the expense of sustainability. Others are more optimistic, citing the unique opportunities presented in a growth environment to accelerate investments in breakthrough technologies, strengthen collaborations, and develop talent.
The panel will discuss how the energy super-cycle represents an excellent opportunity to accelerate investments in transformative technologies and deepen collaborations, the role of policy in creating supportive frameworks, and financing tomorrow’s energy.
1. The case for climate optimism
2. The role of government and policy
3. Financing tomorrow’s energy
4. Building the energy transition workforce
WGEO Panel Discussion
H.E. Max Andonirina Fontaine, Minister, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Madagascar
H.E. Dr. Barbara Botos, Ambassador at Large for Climate, Ministry of Energy, Hungary
Mr. Farrukh Shad, Head of Sustainability Business APAC & MEA, Schneider Electric
Mr. Michael Green, Director, Carbon Markets, Native PBC, United States
Ms. Corli Le Roux, Senior Specialist, UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges, UNCTAD
Carbon markets are considered a cost-effective solution to mitigate climate change, where emission reductions can drive clean investments in countries where implementing such reductions would be more economically viable beyond the baseline. Since 2005,
carbon markets have evolved through various international agreements, starting with the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol (2005-2012) and continuing with Article 6 under the Paris Agreement from 2020 onward. Between 2012 and 2020, the voluntary carbon market became increasingly active as the private sector committed to voluntarily reducing their GHG emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
The output of carbon markets, carbon credits, is explicitly used in Emissions Trading Schemes and carbon taxes. The evolution of green investments in emission reductions, alongside sustainable development linked with carbon credits, has been significant, particularly under the Paris Agreement. Countries now view market mechanisms as a crucial component for meeting their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The interplay between these mechanisms is facilitated through various rules, modalities, and procedures. As mentioned above, carbon markets, through market-based mechanisms, present an opportunity for countries and entities to achieve their Net Zero goals. In the long run, carbon markets hold the potential to contribute to the scale of climate finance required for meaningful climate action, driving progress towards a green economy.
The overall objective of this workshop is to build the capacity of various stakeholders for their participation in the implementation of carbon markets linked to the green economy. This will enable stakeholders to mobilize relevant policies and actions across multiple sectors and effectively engage in carbon markets through market mechanisms and climate action implementation.
The workshop will aim to:
1. How can carbon markets be more effectively integrated across different regions to maximize climate action?
2. What are the challenges and opportunities in linking national carbon trading schemes?
3. How can transparency and fairness be ensured in carbon markets to support sustainable development goals?
WGEO Panel Discussion
H.E. Taofeq Al-Sharjbe, Minister, Ministry of Water and Environment, Yemen
Mr. Wei Huang, Director, Division of Planning, Information and Knowledge Management, Department of Nuclear Energy, International Atomic Energy Agency
Mr. Partha Hefaz Shaikh, Director, Programmes and Policy Advocacy, WaterAid
Mr. Peter Prengaman, Global Climate and Environment News Director
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a significant global economic challenge, necessitating a comprehensive recovery effort. However, this recovery must be aligned with the urgent need to address climate change and build a more sustainable future. A green recovery, one that prioritizes investments in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate resilience, offers a promising path forward.
Recent reports by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) emphasize the importance of a green recovery in addressing both economic and environmental challenges. By investing in sustainable sectors, governments can create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A successful green recovery requires a coordinated effort across multiple sectors and levels of government. Key principles for a green recovery include:
1. What are the principles of a green recovery post-crisis that can be applied universally?
2. How can nations incorporate green recovery into their economic recovery plans?
3. What are the long-term benefits of aligning recovery efforts with sustainability goals?
WGEO Official
H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman, World Green Economy Organization
H.E. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General, UCLG-AFRICA
Mr. Abdulrahim Sultan, Director General, World Green Economy Organization
Mr. Amjad Abdulla, Senior International Climate Change Expert
Mr. Umamaheswaran Krishnan, World Green Economy Organization
H.E. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG-AFRICA
Mr. Mohamed NBOU, Special Advisor, Head of UCLG-AFRICA Climate Task Force
Climate change has assumed a central role in environmental and societal development. As we pursue progress, it becomes essential for every stakeholder to contribute to the collective effort to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming by adopting sustainable, inclusive, and equitable measures. Urban settlements play a significant role in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 40% of the total. Cities are responsible for over 70% of global energy-related greenhouse gases, with a predicted 50% increase in urban emissions by 2050, particularly in developing countries. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these impacts. According to the World Bank, an estimated 7.6 trillion USD is required for green city investments to address these challenges.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-AFRICA) and the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) marks a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving carbon neutrality and building resilience in African cities. This partnership underscores the need for a transition towards a green economy, particularly in the face of the disproportionate impact of unsustainable development in the cities of developing countries.
One of the main objectives of the MoU is to develop a “Scientific Platform Pioneering Carbon Neutral Frameworks for Cities”.
This platform will serve as a crucial tool in guiding cities towards carbon neutrality, enabling evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning to:
The initiative is conceived to support the cities on 6 prone approaches; Quantify, Monitor, Record, Target setting, followed by Informed decisions and finally to facilitate investments in climate mitigation and resilient activities.
The key feature of this platform is to provide cities with scientifically sound frameworks for transitioning towards carbon neutrality. These frameworks are developed based on datadriven solutions and will offer evidence-based solutions tailored to each city’s unique profiles. As part of this process, city-level emissions inventories are mapped based on scope 1, 2, and 3 categories, with further mapping of strategic actions aimed towards mitigation actions.
The establishment of this scientific platform, featuring carbon-neutral frameworks for cities, represents a critical step towards addressing the challenges of urban emissions. Moving ahead, as the first step towards activating the MoU, WGEO and UCLG have considered the following eleven cities to kick-start the initiative:
Region | Country | City |
---|---|---|
North Africa | Morocco | Chefchaouen |
Mauritania | Nouakchott | |
Central Africa | Congo | Brazzaville |
Cameroon | Bangangté | |
Central African Republic | Bangui | |
Southern Africa | Malawi | Blantyre |
Mozambique | Quelimane | |
East Africa | Kenya | Homa Bay |
Uganda | Jinja |
These eleven cities will receive technical assistance and knowledge dissemination to support the development of carbon-neutral strategies.
While many actions have been taken to outline inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient low-carbon development pathways in many of these cities, there is a need to develop a robust evidence base in the form of GHG emissions inventory and climate change risk assessments to inform these pathways and monitor progress. Additionally, identifying supporting institutional, governance, and financing mechanisms is essential to enable and mainstream the implementation of these actions.
The WGEO and UCLG-AFRICA are jointly organizing a session at WGEO Pavilion during COP29 to present and explore key strategies for implementing Carbon Neutral Plans in the eleven selected cities. This session will officially launch the program, outlining the next steps needed to achieve the objectives in a collaborative manner, with active involvement from eleven city departments and other key stakeholders.
It is expected to have the below outcomes from this session:
The partnership between UCLG-AFRICA and WGEO marks a significant step towards building sustainable, resilient, and carbon-neutral cities in Africa. Together, the collaboration would address the challenges posed by climate change and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future in the cities.
Register for this sessionJoint Panel Discussion by WGEO & UGIH
Mr. Adrian Alberto Martinez Blanco, Director, La Ruta del Clima, Costa Rica
Mr. Nura Jibo, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, African Climate Change Research Centre(ACCREC), Nigeria
Mr. Venkata Chunduru, Director, Arcadis
Mr. Stephan Kuster, Head, External Affairs, Frontiers
The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters necessitate innovative solutions to build resilience and protect vulnerable communities. Scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements offer promising avenues for addressing climate challenges and enhancing adaptation capacities.
Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)24 emphasize the critical role of technology in addressing climate change. By investing in research and development, governments and businesses can develop and deploy innovative solutions to mitigate climate impacts and build resilience.
To effectively mobilize science and technological innovation for climate resilience,25 it is essential to:
1. What scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations are most critical for enhancing climate resilience?
2. How can these innovations be rapidly mobilized and deployed in vulnerable regions?
3. What partnerships are crucial for driving innovation in climate resilience?
WGEO Panel Discussion
Mr. Conrad Albrecht, Managing Director, Head, Directorate of Sustainability, Eurasian Development Bank (EDB)
Mr. Maxime Bureau, EMEA Government Affairs & Sustainability Director, 3M
Mr. Javier Cervera, Energy Transition Manager and President of the AEE Spain Chapter, Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
Ms. Ishita Pant, Investment Official, Energy Charter Conference (ECC)
The transition to a low-carbon economy necessitates a fundamental transformation of energy infrastructure. This includes investing in renewable energy generation, upgrading transmission and distribution grids, and developing new storage technologies. By modernizing infrastructure, governments and businesses can accelerate the deployment of clean energy and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
Recent reports by the International Energy Agency (IEA)26 highlight the urgent need for investment in clean energy infrastructure. By expanding renewable energy capacity and improving grid resilience, it is possible to achieve a more sustainable and secure energy system.
The transition to a renewable-based energy system presents significant challenges and opportunities. Key considerations include:
1. What infrastructure changes are needed to support a full transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy?
2. How can existing infrastructure, viz, transmission and distribution networks, be adapted or transformed to support sustainable energy sources?
3. What are the technological and economic challenges in transitioning to a renewable-based energy system?
WGEO Special
04.00 PM – 04.10 PM
Opening Remarks by Mr. Abdulrahim Sultan,
Director General, World Green Economy Organization
04.10 PM – 04.40 PM
Taking stock of the Carbon Markets – Main Instruments and Trends
04.40 PM – 04.55 PM
Q&A Session followed by Open Discussion
04.55 PM – 05.25 PM
Operationalizing Article 6 – lessons learned
05.25 PM – 05.40 PM
Q&A Session followed by Open Discussion
05.40 PM – 05.45 PM
Closing Remarks by Mr. Muhammad Taimur Ali Khan Gandapur, Head, Regional Collaboration Centers, UN Climate Change
The Dedicated Capacity Building Training for GAGE Members on Article 6 represents a critical step in supporting GAGE countries in their climate action journey. By building the skills and knowledge required to engage effectively in carbon markets, GAGE members will be better positioned to meet their NDC targets and drive sustainable development. This initiative aligns with the overarching objectives of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the power of collaborative climate action and cooperative approaches.
Global Alliance for Green Economy (GAGE) is dedicated to enabling its members to navigate and leverage emerging opportunities within global carbon markets, particularly under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Article 6 provides a cooperative framework for countries to meet their climate targets through international carbon markets, facilitating both emissions reductions and sustainable development. However, successful engagement in these mechanisms requires a robust understanding of technical, regulatory, and operational requirements.
Many GAGE member countries are in the early stages of developing and implementing their Article 6 strategies. Capacity-building support is essential to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to establish effective carbon crediting programs, create high-quality carbon offsets, and meet the transparency and reporting requirements outlined in the Paris Agreement. This dedicated capacity-building training aims to bridge this gap, empowering GAGE members to enhance their carbon market readiness and develop projects that can achieve sustainable climate goals.
The main objectives of the training program are to:
The audience for this training will be technical experts, policymakers, and environmental professionals from GAGE member countries, particularly those involved in climate policy, carbon markets, and sustainable development initiatives. This diverse group will benefit from practical knowledge and collaborative approaches tailored to their regional and national contexts.
The training will be structured into five core modules, each focusing on essential components of Article 6 operationalization:
1. Overview of Article 6 Mechanisms and Frameworks
2. Developing Article 6-Compliant Crediting Programs
3. Technical Skills for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)
4. Sustainable Development and Social Safeguards
5. Interactive Case Study and Simulation Exercise
The training will be delivered as in person workshop over five sessions, each focusing on one of the core modules. Sessions will include presentations, group discussions, case studies, and interactive exercises to foster practical understanding. Experts from the UNFCCC, technical consultants, and practitioners from GAGE countries will facilitate the sessions, ensuring that the training is directly relevant and highly applicable.
By the end of the training, participants will:
This training will be implemented in collaboration with the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Center. Partnerships with institutions experienced in sustainable development and MRV will provide participants with relevant tools and resources, facilitating sustainable knowledge building and long-term engagement.
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