Making Clean Energy a key Part of Global Economic Recovery: IEA Roundtable

IEA and the Government of Denmark recently hosted a meeting to discuss the importance of making clean energy a key part of the global economic recovery

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Government of Denmark recently hosted a high-level roundtable meeting in which government ministers and business leaders from around the world discussed the importance of making clean energy a central part of the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

Co-chaired by Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark, and Dr. Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director, the virtual meeting focused in particular on the potential of energy efficiency and renewables – two of the key pillars of clean energy transitions – to create jobs, enhance economic competitiveness and improve the resilience of energy systems.

Leading participants included Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission; Simonetta Sommaruga, President of Switzerland; Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources of Canada; Elisabeth Borne, Minister for an Ecological and Inclusive Transition of France; and R.K. Singh, Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy of India.

Energy Ministers discussed the current situation, re-affirmed the political commitment of their respective governments towards clean energy transitions and shared best policies and practices with an objective to develop analysis that would be useful to governments at this time. pic.twitter.com/gG8rOFVk29

— Office of R.K. Singh (@OfficeOfRKSingh) April 25, 2020

“Putting clean energy at the heart of stimulus plans is an excellent strategy for revitalising economies while building a more secure and sustainable energy future,” said Dr. Birol.

At the meeting, ministers from around the world highlighted the extraordinary challenges governments are confronting, as a result, the immediate public health and economic crises – and their desire to make well-informed decisions in their plans to rekindle economic growth as their countries emerge from confinement.

“In the face of human tragedy and the plethora of consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also been handed an opportunity to rebuild society in a manner that makes it more resilient to future crises,” said Jørgensen. “The choices we take now to kick-start our economies will also determine our ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

the aim of the roundtable event was to catalyse and elevate the conversation among governments on the best ways to achieve the mutual benefits that clean energy transitions and economic recoveries can bring to one another.

“Today’s discussion provided ample food for thought. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are both cornerstones in our fight against climate change, and at the same time both sectors have massive job potential,” Jørgensen said. “As we look to stimulate the economy, it only makes sense to design our interventions in ways that take advantage of these synergies. Not only will that allow us to create even more green jobs, but it will also support and underpin our efforts to keep global temperature rise to manageable levels.”