The United States hosted the seventh Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM7) in San Francisco, California, on June 1–2, 2016. Hosted by U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, the meeting included, among others, Maroš Šefčovič, the European Union’s Vice President for Energy Union; Carlos Moedas, the EU’s Commissioner for Research, Science, and Innovation. Energy ministers and other high-level delegates from 23 countries and the European Union announced new commitments to expand clean energy deployment and cut global carbon emissions while driving economic growth.
CEM members, representing 90 percent of global clean energy investment and 75 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, agreed to launch an enhanced effort – called “CEM 2.0” – to increase its effectiveness by creating an international secretariat to support CEM initiatives.
In addition, CEM members, nearly 60 companies and non-governmental organizations, and 10 subnational governments announced more than $1.5 billion in commitments to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies and increase energy access. CEM ministers launched three new, high-impact campaigns that will promote the procurement of electricity from renewable energy, commercial and industrial energy efficiency, and advanced cooling technologies.New commitments were also announced for efforts initiated at CEM6 and COP21.
CEM7 also featured a Startups and Solutions Technology Showcase held in San Francisco’s Union Square. The Showcase featured around 100 innovative companies and organizations from six continents demonstrating the breakthrough technologies that will advance the clean energy sector and worldwide economy for years to come.
Four public-private roundtable discussions provided an opportunity for ministers, global business leaders, and experts from other organizations to bring their knowledge, expertise, and perspective to particularly topical clean energy issues and challenges: Innovative Mechanisms and Strategies for Investment in Energy Efficiency, Facilitating Corporate Sourcing of Clean Energy, Government Procurement and Demonstration of Clean Technology, and Next Generation Wind and Solar Power – Getting Markets and Policies Right
More on Clean Energy Ministerial 7 (CEM7): http://www.cleanenergyministerial.org/Events/CEM7