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Mission Innovation at COP25

09-December-2019
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This year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) takes place in Madrid and is a stepping stone to 2020, the most important year for global climate efforts since the Paris deal was agreed in 2015.

Mission Innovation (MI) members and partners are organising a wide-range of events on clean energy innovation, which this newsletter showcases. Members are warmly welcome to attend with their contacts and there is no need to register for these activities.

Summary of events

(scroll down for more information)

7 December

UNFCCC Panel: Measurement and attribution of climate contribution to financing
16.45 – 18.15, Room 3 UNFCC

9 December

Global Covenant of Mayors Day (All Day, EU Pavilion)
15.00 – 16.30: Scaling up action through research and innovation

Accelerating the Low Carbon Transition: The case for stronger, more targeted and coordinated international action
13.30 – 14.45, UK Pavilion

10 December

10th Annual Sustainable Innovation Forum (10-11 December, Novotel Madrid Campo de las Naciones)

  • 10 December, 11.15 – 12.05: Smart and Sustainable Mobility Systems
  • 10 December, 12.05 – 12.55: Transitioning Towards a Cleaner, Smarter Energy System of the Future
  • 11 December, 16.00 – 17.00: Sustainable Innovation Hub | Lightning Pitches

Chilean Energy Day (All Day, Chile Pavilion)

  • 15.20 – 16.35: Unlocking Hydrogen: Embracing the Benefits of New Technologies
  • 18.00 – 21.00: Ministerial Plenary

Energy Storage (World Bank, Climate Investment Funds)
13.00 – 14.00, UK Pavilion

Launch of MI Champions Round 2
16.30 – 17.00, EU Pavilion (Meet the Expert Stand)

Follow MI on Twitter and the #COP25 #timeforaction hashtags to find out about activities as they happen!

Conference programme
UNFCCC side events programme
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UNFCCC Panel: Measurement and attribution of climate contribution to financing
7 December, 16.45 – 18.15, Room 3 of the UNFCCC
This panel will discuss measurement and attribution of climate contribution to financing with a profile of the 1.5° Compatibility Framework (led by Sweden) to explore how investment can support a shift from incremental improvements to transformational changes in climate actions. This requires the measurement and attribution of scope 3 emissions, a complex task that raises several new and challenging issues.

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Accelerating the Low Carbon Transition: The case for stronger, more targeted and coordinated international action
9 December, 13.30 – 14.45, UK Pavilion
Launch of a report commissioned by the UK’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, and supported by the ETC, looking at how international cooperation between government, business and industry can accelerate the energy transition in the harder-to-abate sectors, and sectors of power, land use, transport and buildings. The report brings together a historical understanding of technology transitions, lessons from the experience of international cooperation in security, trade and environment, and practical knowledge of the sectors that must be decarbonised. It highlights an urgent need for coordinated international action within each of these sectors, as well as a strategic commitment to strengthening relevant institutions. Key speakers include Simon Sharpe, Frank Geels and David Victor as authors of the report, alongside representatives from WEF, and John Loughhead, BEIS Chief Scientific Adviser and MI Steering Committee Chair.—————————————————————————————————–

Global Covenant of Mayors Day
9 December, 9.30 – 18.15, EU Pavilion, Room Helsinki
15.00 – 16.30: Scaling up action through research and innovation
At the annual “Global Covenant of Mayors Day,” local governments and partners will gather to share results and impacts of climate action fostered through multi-level and cross-level partnerships and through in-depth and inspiring discussions. The open dialogue will address innovative approaches to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient future and will provide a space to demonstrate quantified progress of GCoM cities globally in the fight against climate change, while also highlighting gaps and areas for new resource mobilization. The session “Scaling up Action through Research and Innovation” will highlight GCoM’s city-focused research and innovation agenda and explore areas for collaboration through dialogue between local governments, MI-member governments, and other stakeholders to tackle the specific innovation challenges of cities and to move promising solutions from ambition to full-scale implementation.—————————————————————————————————–
 

10th Annual Sustainable Innovation Forum
10-11 December, 8.50 – 17.30, Novotel Madrid Campo de las Naciones
MI is collaborating with Climate Action on the Sustainable Innovation Forum, the major public-private side event of COP25.

10 December, 11.15 – 12.05: Smart and Sustainable Mobility Systems
Mobility is changing, it’s being disrupted, and it’s becoming more connected than ever before. Smart technology and digital capabilities now allow us to develop new, more intelligent mobility systems. This session will discuss what policies, technologies and business models are needed to accelerate and expand sustainable mobility systems.10

December, 12.05 – 12.55: Transitioning Towards a Cleaner, Smarter Energy System of the Future
For energy systems to remain secure they need to become more flexible in their ability to integrate intermittent renewables and other decentralised power sources. This panel will discuss whether a systems approach, requiring a myriad of new technologies, business models, regulation and policy frameworks can drive a secure, cost effective transition. Panellists include John Loughhead, Chair of Mission Innovation Steering Committee, Senator Bob Wieckowski, Member of the California State Senate and James Shaw, New Zealand Minister for Climate Change.

11 December, 16.00 – 17.00: Sustainable Innovation Hub | Lightning Pitches
The Start-Up community is a crucial force in driving the innovative technologies and solutions required to push the boundaries on climate action and re-imagine our relationship with Earth’s natural resources. In this session a number of Start-Ups will be given 3 minutes to pitch their climate innovation solution followed by a 2 minute Q&A. Through live polling, the Forum’s delegation can vote for their favourite innovative solution pitch whilst the expert judging panel will review the votes and select one Start-Up as the Sustainable Innovation Hub Solution of the Year.

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Chilean Energy Day
10 December, 9.00 – 18.00, Chile Pavilion
High-level, Davos-style panels will take place throughout the day in the Chilean Pavilion focusing on key issues related to carbon neutrality in the energy sector, such as: the flexibility of electric systems, hydrogen and new technologies, energy efficiency, and climate financing and market instruments, as well as other crucial topics. Panelists will include Ministers of Energy, international organizations, academia, and other experts in the field.15.20 – 16.35: Unlocking Hydrogen: Embracing the Benefits of New Technologies
This “MI focused” panel is expected to feature ministers from Australia, Chile, and Germany (strong links to IC#8) and will be moderated by the EC. To limit global temperature rise, all sectors of the economy must undertake pathways to drastically lower emissions. Hydrogen, produced with renewable energy, can provide the missing link for sectors such as transport, industrial processes, and heating to pursue decarbonization. As the technology develops, new policies and business models are needed to achieve wider deployment.18.00 – 21.00, Blue Zone Plenary Auditorium: Ministerial Plenary
Open Discussion among Ministers and open to all attendees.
Keynote speakers: Juan Carlos Jobet, Minister of Energy, Chile, Mrs Teresa Ribera, Minister for the Ecological Transition, Spain, and Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency

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Launch of MI Champions Round 2
10 December, 16.30 – 17.00, EU Pavilion (Meet the Expert Stand)
The Mission Innovation Champions Program seeks to celebrate and support innovative individuals who are accelerating the clean energy revolution by working on key clean energy research and technology developments. By supporting cross-border exchanges of ideas and talent and building a community of visionaries committed to the promise of clean energy research and development, the program activates and engages a new generation of researchers, inventors and leaders.

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Other events
IEA @ COP24 – Accelerating climate ambition through clean energy transition
As the global energy authority, the IEA promotes climate action through analysis, data, expertise and policy advice. The IEA will be hosting, co-hosting and attending a number of events at this year’s COP, details can be found here.