The inaugural Mission Innovation Ministerial (MIM) took place in conjunction with the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM7), bringing together countries that have committed to increase their support for clean energy research and development, and providing an opportunity for individual countries to highlight plans and actions under MI and announce new collaborations.
On 1 June, closed-door discussions for MI ministers and delegates were held, chaired by US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
The latter stated that MI is critical to funding the basic scientific research and development that will underpin the advanced clean energy solutions needed to combat climate change in the 21st century, noting such technologies will help drive down adoption costs to grow low-carbon economies.
3 June 2016: The inaugural Mission Innovation Ministerial (MIM) took place in conjunction with the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM7), bringing together countries that have committed to increase their support for clean energy research and development, and providing an opportunity for individual countries to highlight plans and actions under MI and announce new collaborations. On 1 June, closed-door discussions for MI ministers and delegates were held, chaired by US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. The latter stated that MI is critical to funding the basic scientific research and development that will underpin the advanced clean energy solutions needed to combat climate change in the 21st century, noting such technologies will help drive down adoption costs to grow low-carbon economies.
The MIM took place in San Francisco, California, US, from 1-2 June 2016. Participants agreed on an MI Enabling Framework and on members of the inaugural Steering Committee. The European Commission (EC), on behalf of the European Union (EU), became the latest member to join MI, bringing the total number of members to 21. MI members also discussed baselines and doubling plans for investment in clean energy R&D, agreeing to collectively double the US$15 billion baseline to US$30 billion per year over the next five years. They also received updates on MI subgroups on Business and Investor Engagement, Innovation Analysis and Roadmapping, and Joint Research and Capacity Building.
On 2 June, an Open Press Public Announcements session was held, during which MI announcements were made on government funding for clean energy innovation, and new collaborative research and analysis. During the event, Democratic Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi underscored the US’ commitment to deliver on the promises made during the MIM, including doubling research and development investment over the next five years. An investor and industry panel also convened, which highlighted the investment opportunity of clean energy, the importance of making it affordable to global markets and the need for a just transition.
A public/private innovation breakfast convened in the morning of 1 June and included an update on the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, which is working with countries that are increasing their public research pipeline through MI.
Leaders of 20 countries announced MI on 30 November 2015, on the sidelines of the Paris Climate Change Conference. In support of economic growth, energy access and security, and climate change mitigation, MI partners aim to accelerate the pace of clean energy innovation to achieve performance breakthroughs and cost reductions to provide affordable and reliable clean energy solutions that will revolutionize energy systems globally. MI member countries are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK, and the US. [MI Press Release] [MI Website] [Baseline and Doubling Plans Webpage] [IISD RS Coverage of the Inaugural MIM]