COP27: SolarPower Europe Activities

From the 7th to 18th November 2022, members of the SolarPower Europe team will be in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), participating in discussions about how solar is leading the transition to clean energy, vastly reducing our emissions and providing energy security for all. The transition must be just. During the two-week conference, our events will explore areas for collaboration and sharing best practices to ensure no one gets left behind.

See below for an outline of the events we will be involved in:

Event: Manufacturing Examples from Around the World 

Our Policy Director, Dries Acke, will join the session, giving an overview of the European perspective when it comes to sharing policy ideas and potential paths for countries and regions around the world to increase their local/regional solar supply chain capabilities. 

Find out more or register to join virtually here.

Event: How to reconcile Economy and Ecology? From decarbonation to regeneration, applications and best practices

Our Policy Director, Dries Acke, will moderate this session which proposes to introduce evolutions in the regulatory framework, mostly in Europe, and to explore case studies and best practices for integrating nature-based solutions with hard solar infrastructures.

Find out more.

Event: The crucial role of a Mediterranean partnership – Renewable energies

Our CEO, Walburga Hemetsberger, will participate in this session which aims to emphasise the crucial role of a Mediterranean partnership and stress the current limited renewable capacity across the southern and eastern Mediterranean, despite the huge resource availability. The session will propose a common (or shared) strategy based on the European experience in the different renewable sectors as a great opportunity to unlock the Mediterranean renewable full potential, for the benefit of the whole Med region.

Find out more.

Event: Soaring ahead with Solar Hydrogen

Our CEO Walburga Hemetsberger will join the session discussing the ISA’s programme – “Solar for Green Hydrogen”. The objective is to assess and develop a strategy to scale up green hydrogen production and deployment, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies. This includes identifying and creating global synergies for knowledge exchange, infrastructure development, assessment and facilitation of ecosystem readiness, and identification of ready-to-invest projects in the near to mid-terms.

Find out more. 

Event: EU Energy Day: Accelerating solar energy: a ribbon at a time

Our CEO, Walburga Hemetsberger, will take part in this high-level event which aims at exchanging best practices on the deployment of solar energy – a cornerstone of the global transition to clean energy and net zero emissions. It will focus on decentralised technologies, and on the involvement of citizens and communities.

Find out more.

Event: A Green Deal for the Mediterranean – North-South Energy Partnerships

Our Director of Global Affairs, Máté Heisz, will speak as part of this session where panelists will discuss the prospects of North-South energy partnerships between the EU and the North African countries. The panel will showcase clean energy initiatives by the European Union as well as by individual EU Member States. Examples of the implementation of energy partnerships projects will be presented by actors of international development cooperation.

Find out more.

Event: Delivering a just energy transition & the role of cities to address the climate & inequality crises

This side event will celebrate the leadership of cities around the world to end our addiction to fossil fuels and deliver a just energy transition towards renewables. Our Global Affairs Director, Máté Heisz, will join the session demonstraying the benefits of a just energy transition on people’s lives and the climate, and identify clearly what is needed for the uptake of large scale renewable energy.

Event: COP27 High-Level Roundtable – Making Energy Transitions Work for People: Decent Jobs, Skills, Livelihoods and Inclusion

Our CEO, Walburga Hemetsberger, will speak on panel of this IRENA event showcasing the latest research and insights on this topic, including from IRENA’s Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2022 published in collaboration with ILO. It will also underscore the importance of education and skill-building strategies, active labour market policies as well as social dialogue, underpinned by industrial policies and public investment strategies to promote regional and economic development, diversification, inclusion and close the energy access gap.

Find out more.

Event: Promoting Clean Energy For Africa - How Businesses Are Using Their Procurement Power To Achieve Net Zero

Our Director of Business Development and Deputy Coordinator of RE-Source, Daniel Dang, will join the panel discussions around the role industry associations have in promoting renewable energy solutions. The session will look at what is required of government, utilities and other players to facilitate renewable energy procurement by industry players, and what opportunities and challenges Africa faces for harnessing private sector purchasing power to drive renewable energy.

Find out more.