21.12.2023
Net Zero World – Accelerating the global energy transition
At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai under the Presidency of the United Arab Emirates, Aker Horizons hosted a series of panels with the International Energy Agency (IEA) at the Norway Pavilion in the Blue Zone. The purpose of the panels was to exchange expert analysis, data, policy-advice and real-world solutions to accelerate progress towards a more secure, sustainable and equitable energy future. The event entitled “Net Zero World – Accelerating the global energy transition” was held on Saturday 2 December 2023 with a panel of distinguished guests. You can watch a recording of the event below.
Despite impressive clean energy growth based on today’s policy settings, stronger measures would still be needed to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C alive. Without further actions, global emissions would remain high enough to push up global average temperatures by around 2.4 °C this century, well above the key threshold set out in the Paris Agreement. But we have the tools needed to accelerate the global energy transition. Ramping up renewables, improving energy efficiency, cutting methane emissions and increasing electrification with technologies available today deliver more than 80% of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 °C.
This panel explored global, national and regional strategies to get the world on track for net zero emissions by 2050 and limiting global warming to 1.5°C. To meet these goals, policymakers, the private sector, industries, and financial institutions must join forces to pivot from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and pursue widespread decarbonization across all end-use sectors. Our speakers discussed the actions that both public and private sector actors must take to put the world on the path to net zero. They further discussed how policy, technology, investment and innovation can converge to accelerate just and sustainable transitions.
Moderator:
- Marianne Stigset, Director of Communications and External Affairs, Aker Horizons
Speakers:
- Espen Barth Eide, Norway Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Sherif ElKhouly, Partner and Head of Middle East and North Africa, Actis
- Araceli Fernandez Pales, Head of Technology Innovation Unit, IEA
- Steve Howard, Vice Chairman Sustainability, Temasek
- Anders Opedal, CEO, Equinor
- Yngve Slyngstad, CEO, Industry Capital Partners
- Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, CEO, Statkraft
- Fridtjof Unander, Chief Economist, Aker Horizons