EU Energy Days at COP28 reaffirm commitment to clean energy transition

A series of 9 high level sessions hosted over 2 days by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy at the COP28, covering different aspects of how we can accelerate the clean energy transition, has now closed in Dubai. Branded as an annual “EU Energy Days” side-event of the climate conference, it featured a range of high-level political speakers – Energy Ministers from Spain, Belgium, Croatia, Sweden, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay, and African Union Commissioner for Energy Amani Abou-Zeid; from international entities (IEA, IRENA, World Bank, EIB, EBRD, Union for the Mediterranean and the ILO) to energy umbrella organisations such as WindEurope, SolarPower Europe, and Hydrogen Europe. The events attracted participants from many of the delegations at the COP28 in Dubai, as well as many online participants following from elsewhere in the world.

The Days opened with a look at the geopolitical situation, energy market realities & renewables. This was followed by different panel discussions and roundtable debates covered issues such as energy efficiency, methane emissions, the role of cities, international investment, clean tech funding, and a just transition. There were also specific sessions looking at a sustainable recovery for Ukraine and a final event targeting an international youth audience looking at how to shape things in future.

Speaking at the end of the final session, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson said:

'I am delighted with the level of discussion we have seen in the past 2 days at the different EU Energy Day events. Underlining the EU’s ambition to show leadership in the fight against climate change, we have covered all of the key aspects of the decarbonisation process – and facilitated important discussions and exchanges in the context of the COP. I have been very impressed by the level of debate and the overall willingness to make progress at this year’s COP.'

EU Energy Days at COP28 – see full programme and individual sessions below

4 December 2023

•  Powering the clean energy transition
•  The first fuel revolution: accelerating energy efficiency for a sustainable future (co-hosted with the IEA)
•  Methane emissions abatement: international cooperation and new business opportunities
•  Clean Energy Partnership high-level dialogue: a sustainable recovery for Ukraine

5 December 2023

•  The EU and its global partners unleashing the clean energy transition
•  Localising energy: cities and companies teaming up for the local energy transition
•  Clean tech funding for Net Zero
•  Just transition: building the workforce of tomorrow (EU Coal Regions in Transition joint event)
•  Shaping the clean energy system of tomorrow (a dedicated youth session)

Related links

• Speech by Commissioner Simson for opening event EU Energy Days at COP28
• Global targets for renewables and energy efficiency