28 May 2015: During the sixth Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM6), “ambitious actions to accelerate the global transition to clean energy” were announced, including global efforts addressing critical technology and policy challenges of efficient lighting, low-carbon power systems and information availability regarding low-carbon development policies. At CEM6, ministers agreed to launch an enhanced, second phase of work under the CEM, referred to as “CEM 2.0.”

Ministers established a new CEM Steering Committee to provide leadership and year-round guidance to prioritize efforts in those areas with the greatest potential impact. Ministers also launched: the CEM Global Lighting Challenge, which aims to reach global cumulative sales of 10 billion high-efficiency, high-quality and affordable advanced lighting products as quickly as possible; the CEM Power System Challenge, which includes a set of principles to help guide future efforts toward clean, reliable, resilient and affordable power systems; and the Expanded Clean Energy Solutions Center, which provides real-time, no-cost clean energy expert policy assistance to more than 80 countries around the world at a scaled-up level.

Ministers also discussed: potential priority initiatives for ministerial focus at CEM7, including a new work stream on global sustainable cities; the ISO 50001 energy management standard; and the CEM Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Women’s Initiative. Public-private roundtables addressed such topics as: power system transformation and utilities of the future; accelerating energy productivity; sustainable urban energy systems; achieving a social license for clean energy deployment; finance for clean energy access; and public-private consortia for advanced clean energy technology.

Saudi Arabia officially became a CEM member, the first new member since 2009, bringing the total number of CEM members to 23 countries and the European Commission, who together are responsible for about 80% of global emissions and 90% of clean energy investment.

A CEM Awards ceremony honored global clean energy innovators working to advance appliance energy efficiency, smart grid technology, and clean energy education and empowerment. The awards enable the CEM to further encourage clean energy innovation, catalyze markets toward effective and efficient clean energy solutions, and build and recognize clean energy leadership.

Just prior to the conference, the CEM announced it will work with the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) to: deliver technical assistance to help developing and middle-income countries integrate large shares of wind and solar energy into their electricity grids; and help countries address immediate issues and increase their capacity for longer-term policy and investment planning. Participating countries will have access to technical experts, knowledge and resources through the CEM’s 21st Century Power Partnership and its Clean Energy Solutions Center.

US President Barack Obama also announced, via video link, that the US will host CEM7 in 2016, which was followed by the announcement that China will host CEM8 in 2017.

CEM6 met from 27-28 May 2015 in Mérida, Mexico. The ministerial was preceded by several side events on 26 May describing Mexico’s renewable energy roadmap; policy innovations and collaboration opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean; powering energy productivity through efficiency; charting a course for power system transformation in Latin America; and fossil fuel subsidy reform.

The CEM is a high-level global forum involving the world’s major economies in promoting policies and programmes that advance clean energy technology, and aims to help countries meet their climate and clean energy goals and create space for greater ambition. The CEM’s goals are to: improve energy efficiency; enhance the clean energy supply; and expand access to clean energy around the world. The CEM grew out of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in July 2009, which agreed to launch a global partnership to drive transformational low-carbon and climate-friendly technologies. [IISD RS Coverage of CEM6] [CEM News Story, 28 May] [CEM News Story, 27 May] [CEM News Story on Collaboration with ESMAP] [Video Message from US President] [CEM Global Lighting Challenge Fact Sheet] [CEM Power System Challenge Joint Statement] [Clean Energy Solutions Center Fact Sheet] [CEM Awards Webpage] [IISD RS Coverage of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform CEM6 Side Event]