8 June 2017: Energy ministers and high-level representatives from 24 countries and the EU, as well as representatives from international organizations and the private sector convened for the eighth Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM8) meeting to review the latest advances in clean energy technology and discuss ways to advance the global clean energy transition.

CEM8, which took place in Beijing, China, from 6-8 June 2017, brought together representatives from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), the World Energy Council, UN Environment, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) and over 600 representatives from the private sector.

While CEM8 focused on scaling the deployment of clean energy technologies available today, Second Mission Innovation Ministerial addressed scaling up R&D for future new technologies.

The Second Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-2) took place alongside CEM8. While CEM8 focused on scaling the deployment of clean energy technologies available today, MI-2 addressed scaling up research and development (R&D) for future new technologies. Together, CEM8 and MI-2 provided a platform for accelerating clean energy innovation and facilitating its uptake by the global market.

CEM8 featured the Public-Private Action Summit, CEM8/MI-2 technology exhibition and innovation theater, invitation-only public-private roundtables and numerous side events. CEM8 sought to, inter alia: demonstrate and celebrate the ‘Revolution Now’ of rapidly decreasing costs and increasing deployment of clean energy technologies; enhance government participation and leadership in the CEM to foster progress on the global clean energy transformation; and strengthen action-oriented partnerships and collaborations with international organizations, business and industry. Discussions at CEM8 thereby contributed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 (affordable and clean energy), in particular target 7.2 (By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix).

CEM members noted significant progress in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and technology advancement, including through the use of clean energy technologies, evidenced by a stabilization in global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for three consecutive years since 1970, coupled with global economic growth. In this sense, CEM8 discussions also contributed to tracking progress towards SDG 13 (climate action).

CEM8 launched a number of campaigns and initiatives, including: an EV30@30 campaign on electric vehicles led by China; a campaign on advanced power plant flexibility led by China, Denmark and Germany; an initiative on sustainable cities and eco-towns led by the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation; and a campaign on the role of buildings in urban energy systems led by the European Commission and France. These last two initiatives are not only related to SDGs 7 and 13, but also to SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), in particular target 11B (By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change).

Changes to leadership of, and participation in, CEM initiatives and campaigns under the CEM shared global leadership model included: the European Commission’s announcement that it will co-lead the Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) initiative; Canada’s announcement that it will co-lead the Energy Management Working Group (EMWG), with UNIDO serving as its new operating agent; and an announcement by Canada and Sweden that they will co-lead a new phase of the Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) initiative focusing on the role of women in clean energy.

In the margins of CEM8, Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) launched its ‘Renewables 2017 Global Status Report.’ The IEA launched its flagship publication titled ‘Energy Technology Perspectives 2017.’ [CEM Website] [CEM8 Website] [CEM8 Agenda] [CEM8 Side Events] [CEM8 Chair’s Summary] [CEM Press Release on CEM8] [CEM Press Release on Advanced Power Plant Flexibility Campaign] [UNIDO Press Release on EMWG] [IEA Press Release on CEM8] [IEA Press Release on EV30@30 Campaign] [REN21 Press Release] [Renewables 2017 Global Status Report] [Energy Technology Perspectives 2017] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on REN21’s Renewables 2017 Global Status Report] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Related CEM8 Events]