Taking part at COP21

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Our recommendations to the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris,COP21, which were launched at the Executive Assembly, were warmly welcomed by Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. These recommendations were made following extensive consultation with our members and in accord with our governance procedures.

In a video address to the global energy leaders’ community at the Assembly, Christiana Figueres said: “It is encouraging to see the messages from the World Energy Council to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris. These messages are a strong signal that the energy transformation that is by now inevitable, irreversible and irresistible, needs predictable policy to speed up and scale up.”

At COP21, the Council’s senior representatives and many members will be taking part in various sessions and getting feedback on our recommendations where we call for a “strong signal” and three key actions:

A clear carbon pricing scheme in line with the global objectives that will allow all to make efficient economic decisions
Reduce policy risk through predictable policy and balanced regulatory frameworks to unlock the needed investment to ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable energy
Crucial action at regional and national level. Only the adoption of strong and balanced national energy policy frameworks can provide substantive progress.

Marie-José Nadeau, Chair of the World Energy Council is participating at a panel on “De-carbonising Global Energy Supply: Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Opportunities” at the Sustainable Innovation Forum. Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the World Energy Council, is joining a panel discussion on “Climate Crossroads - A new approach to resilient energy investments.” Joan MacNaughton, Executive Chair of the World Energy Trilemma, is moderating a panel at the World Climate Summit as well as joining the closing plenary “If you can’t measure it then you can’t manage it”. Also, José Antonio Vargas Lleras, the Vice Chair of the World Energy Council for the Latin American & Caribbean region and Philippe Joubert, Executive Chair of the Global Electricity Initiative, will be attending the talks.

Christoph Frei said: “As we approach the COP21 talks, we have an opportunity to end the growing uncertainty that has cast a shadow over the energy sector for many decades. For this reason we made a call to all the Parties in Paris to agree on a clear, unambiguous and equitable climate framework and a carbon pricing scheme that will enable the energy sector to deliver the needed energy transition for the greatest benefit of all."

"After COP21, we will be moving towards the 2016 World Energy Congress which will be one of the first opportunities where more than 10,000 leaders from around the world can meet and assess how far we have come after the Paris talks and consider what more needs to be done.”