The role of cities in fostering the low-carbon energy transition

Workshop

Background

17 October 2016, 12.30 to 13.30 hrs

As urbanization and increasing urban affluence will continue to drive growth of energy demand in cities, technology and behavioural changes in urban energy systems will be strategic for achieving long‑term sustainability of global energy use – including the carbon emission reductions required to meet the climate goals reached at COP21 in Paris. In fact, cities hold the key to the global low-carbon transition: They can provide 70% of the cost-effective opportunities for carbon emission reductions in a low-carbon scenario. Deployment of clean energy technologies and behavioural changes in urban areas can also enable cities to reap significant non-climate benefits like increased energy access for urban citizens, lower air pollution, and greater resilience of urban energy grids.

 Local and national energy policies can be effective drivers of urban energy transitions only if informed by solid analyses, sharing of best-practices on successful policy and finance mechanisms as well as business models, and the use of adequate planning tools, among others. This side event aims at increasing confidence in local and national policy makers, particularly in least developed countries, that it is possible to meet the demand for energy services of urban citizens while at the same time effectively pursuing sustainable development.

The side event will be moderated by Jean-François Gagné, Energy Technology Policy Division Head of the International Energy Agency. Partner organizations for this side event are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and The World Resources Institute.

Agenda

12:30

Welcome and opening remarks

Energy Technology Perspectives 2016: Towards Sustainable Urban Energy Systems

Jean-François Gagné, International Energy Agency

12:50

Cities and sustainable energy in the heart of the hydrocarbon industry: policy and cost perspectives from the United Arab Emirates

Dane Mc Queen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates

13:05

Innovative business models for sustainable urban services delivery to support the low-carbon energy transition

Benoit Lefevre, The World Resources Institute

13:20

Concluding interventions

 

 

Upcoming events

All events