The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership’s Senior Management Team joined over 65,000 attendees at Baku, Azerbaijan this year for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). The annual global summit brings together world leaders, climate scientists, activists, and policymakers to address the urgent issue of climate change.
The primary goal of the summit is to catalyze and accelerate global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This ambitious target requires significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from fossil fuel combustion.
ETP had a productive week at COP29 this year. Our team participated in numerous panel discussions and bilateral meetings, engaging with global stakeholders to advance a just energy transition. This article highlights ETP’s participation in key panel discussions during our time in Baku.
15th November, 2024
Solutions Dialogue: Scaling Energy Transition Solutions in Emerging Markets
Organized by the Powering Past Coal Alliance
ETP Director, Philip Rose (second from the left) speaks at the PPCA panel, alongside panelists Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO, Climate Investment Funds (second from the right) and Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director, Institute for Essential Services Reform (first on the left).
ETP’s Director Philip Rose was invited to participate as a panelist, where he spoke about ETP’s work supporting regional governments to decarbonize the power sector, with a particular focus on ETP’s significant progress in accelerating the transition away from coal power. Key takeaways from his speech are as follows:
- ETP’s ongoing work towards the early retirement of the ACEN coal plant in the Philippines, reducing its lifespan by 25 years, a groundbreaking move which sets a new standard for the region.
- ETP’s TRANSEND project assessing opportunities for early coal plant retirements in the Philippines and establishing a fund to support these transitions.
- ETP’s commitment to a fair and equitable transition, with the development of a platform to support communities and workers affected by the phase-out of coal.
Mr. Rose joined a distinguished panel alongside Kerry McCarthy (MP, UK), Maisa Rojas (Minister for the Environment of Chile), Benoit Charette (Member of the National Assembly of Quebec), Catherine Stewart (Ambassador for Climate Change, Canada) and Ministers from Uganda and Greece.
The session was moderated by Julia Skorupska, Head of PPCA Secretariat.
15th November, 2024
The Philippines’ Multisectoral Approach to Achieving a Just Energy Transition
Organized by the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership, on the invitation of the Department of Energy, Philippines
ETP’s Senior Programme Manager, John Cotton, guides a thought-provoking panel discussion at the Philippines Pavilion.
To celebrate Energy Day at COP29, ETP, on the invitation of the Philippines Department of Energy (DOE), hosted a side event at the Philippines Pavilion. The event focused on the country’s updated Energy Plan, which outlines its ambitious goals for a clean energy future. The driving question underpinning the conversation centered around the requirements and landscape needed in order for the Philippines to acheive its Clean Energy Scenario.
Panelists Michael Sinocruz (Energy Policy and Planning Bureau Director, DOE), Romil Hernandez (Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Cities) and Suba Sivakumaran (UNESCAP), shared their insights on the challenges, opportunities to collaborate and considerations towards social equity.
Moderated by ETP’s Senior Programme Manager, John Cotton, the session explored key aspects of accelerating the energy transition. Panelists discussed necessary regulatory reforms, the importance of government-private sector collaboration, and strategies for engaging communities and stakeholders.
Mr. Sinocruz provided an overview of the current energy landscape, while Mr. Hernandez and Ms. Sivakumaran shared insights on grid enhancements and financing energy transition projects, respectively.
16th November, 2024
Dialogue with the World to Craft a Sustainable Ecosystem for a Net Zero Future
Organized by the Vanke Foundation, C Team & Sequoia Foundation
ETP’s John Robert Cotton delivers a keynote speech on the critical role of robust supply chains in driving the energy transition
ETP’s Senior Programme Manager, John Robert Cotton, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of building robust supply chain capabilities as a cornerstone for the success of the energy transition. He highlighted expanding opportunities for investment, with a particular focus on technology transfer in key areas such as industrial decarbonization, transitioning from captive coal, and the development of net-zero industrial parks.
ETP would like to express its sincere gratitude to our colleagues and partners for the opportunity to collaborate and connect. While this iteration of COP29 concludes, our shared commitment to a sustainable future endures. We are inspired by the collaborative spirit and innovative solutions showcased, and look forward to further partnerships and achievements as we work towards a clean energy future.