The COP26 Energy Transition Council will help accelerate the move from coal to clean power.
Yesterday, 21st September, saw the start of Climate Week NYC. Held in New York City, US, the event is said to be the biggest climate summit taking place this year. Inaugurated in 2009, the 2020 online meeting will comprise events from around the world, grouped under 10 themes which include Clean Energy Transition, Food and Land Use, Nature and Science and Climate Impacts and Adaptation.
As the UK gears up for COP26, which will take place in 2021, Lord Callanan, speaking on behalf of COP president designate, Alok Sharma, used Climate Week NYC 2020, to announce the establishment of a new partnership ‘to speed progress on the way to COP26.’The new COP26 Energy Transition Council will bring together leaders from the global power sector to accelerate the transition from coal to clean power. ‘Together we will work to ensure that for every country considering new power generation, clean power is the most attractive option,’ Lord Callanan said.
As well as the power sector, the COP26 Energy Transition Council will include leaders from multilateral development banks, government representatives, business and civil society. ‘We will strengthen our support – through development assistance, climate finance, and the sharing of expertise – to help the most coal-dependent communities achieve a ‘just transition’.’Lord Callanan added.
Reiterating the need for innovation to speed up the global transition, Lord Callanan also announced an investment of £50 million in a new Clean Energy Innovation Facility. The facility will help developing countries hasten the commercialisation of clean energy technologies.
‘…We must focus even more strongly on working with business to accelerate the development of solutions that are critical to achieve net-zero, such as energy storage and clean hydrogen production.,’ Lord Callanan said.
Visit Blog