Global energy transition after Paris: Experiences and challenges for decarbonisation of the energy system

Monday, June 13 / Room Bangkok I + II / 5.00 p.m.

At the UN climate conference in Paris in December 2015, 195 countries concluded a decisive climate accord. They agreed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius to avoid extremely dangerous and irreversible climate change. This goal leaves the international community with an CO2 emissions budget of around 1000 gigatons of CO2. If we continue to act in a business-as-usual scenario, this budget will be exceeded in only a few decades.

The energy sector is responsible for around three quarters of global emissions. This means: To keep our word of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, we have to substantially transform our energy systems – energy supply and energy demand – to reduce CO2 emissions.

The good news is: A global energy transition is already underway. Many countries in the world are currently transforming their energy systems. Energy efficiency is improving and shares of renewable energy deployment are rising.

With its Energiewende, Germany is among the frontrunning industrialized countries that substantially transforms its energy system. But fundamental energy transitions are posing challenges not only on the current energy system, but also on the whole society.

The state of the art as well as current and future challenges of the Energiewende will be discussed in the panel discussion “We all need to change the world – talking about the global energy transition”.

Join experts from government, think tanks, the industry and international organisations to discuss the energy transition and how it will put the world on a projectile that will allow us to meet the climate accord goals.