7 November 2017: The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) annual Ministerial Meeting has launched an initiative to support clean energy transitions in emerging economies. In addition, side events focused on promoting greater participation of women in the clean energy field and boosting investment in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).

Building on IEA’s expertise in on all types of energy, the Clean Energy Transitions Programme aims to accelerate the transition towards clean energy systems around the world, focusing on major emerging economies. Supported by 13 countries with more than €30 million in funding, the initiative will build partnerships with IEA association countries to provide technology and policy support for clean energy.

Prior to the Ministerial Meeting, participants held an event titled, ‘Women in Clean Energy,’ to support the the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) initiative. Established under the auspices of the IEA in 2010, and restructured as an IEA Technology Collaboration Program (TCP) in 2017, the C3E initiative encourages women to pursue careers in the energy industry, promotes their leadership, and recognizes their accomplishments. As of its 2017 restructuring, the C3E TCP will collect information on female participation in the clean energy sector workforce in order to help identify the sector’s needs and methods to attract and retain talent. This will help countries share best practices, and develop or enhance related policies and programs. The event was attended by ministers from Sweden, Canada, Italy, Belgium and Japan, as well as executives from Vatenfall and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

CCUS received only 0.1% of the USD 850 billion of low-carbon energy investments in 2016.

Also held ahead of the Ministerial Meeting, US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry chaired a summit with energy ministers, government officials and chief executives of major energy companies to support and increase investment in CCUS. Summit participants discussed their shared interest in building more CCUS facilities, strengthening development partnerships between government and industry, and furthering recognition of the societal value of CCUS. The IEA also released a report, ‘Five Keys to Unlock CCS Investment,’ which offers policy recommendations for furthering the development and market-readiness of CCUS technology. Recently released IEA research found that CCUS received only 0.1% of the US$850 billion of low-carbon energy investments in 2016. The IEA announced that it would maintain a strong focus on CCUS in its clean energy technology work and analysis.

The IEA’s 2017 Ministerial Meeting was held from 7-8 November 2017, in Paris, France, and was attended by officials from the Agency’s 29 member countries, seven Association countries, and over 30 CEOs of energy-related companies. During the meeting, IEA ministers also welcomed Mexico as its 30th member. [IEA Press Release. & November 2017. Mexico] [IEA Press Release. 8 November 2017. 2017 Ministerial Meeting] [IEA Press Release. 7 November 2017. CCUS Summit] [Chair’s Summary of CCUS Summit] [Five Keys to Unlock CCS Investment] [IEA Press Release: Women in Clean Energy Event]