Shaping the Future of Sustainable Energy in Europe: CEET Highlights from UNECE SEW 2023
Dedicated experts from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) member states and CEET Members specializing in renewable and sustainable energy attended the UNECE Sustainable Energy Week 2023, held from September 11th to 15th, 2023 in Geneva.
The event provided an opportunity for professionals from UNECE member states to engage in profound discussions, share experiences, and acquire invaluable insights into the future of sustainable energy systems.
The overarching theme of this year’s UNECE Sustainable Energy Week, "Building Resilient Energy Systems," took center stage during both the 10th session of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy (held on September 11th and 12th) and the 32nd session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy (convened from September 13th to 15th). These sessions covered a wide array of critical and captivating topics, including:
- Scaling up the adoption of renewable energy;
- Accelerating efforts in energy efficiency and digitalization;
- Developing interconnected regional energy infrastructure; and
- Strategically managing critical raw materials.
In alignment with the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET)’s mission to provide global support to various stakeholders in the energy transition and contribute to the efforts of regional UN bodies from an engineering perspective, CEET experts were graciously invited to share their insights during selected roundtable discussions.
Expanding Horizons: Beyond the European Union
As a leader in decarbonization with advanced energy systems, the European Union faces unique challenges on its path to carbon neutrality. Meeting ambitious targets is complex, particularly in balancing energy security and reducing vulnerability to price fluctuations. Conversely, for the other countries in Greater Europe, amidst substantial barriers and challenges, significant untapped potential exists for a green transition and decarbonization. These are the areas that can benefit the most from the CEET's expertise.
A "Leave No Country Behind" Approach
In the pursuit of carbon neutrality, adopting a "leave no country behind" approach is crucial. CEET, by bringing together 50 top-notch engineers from diverse countries and backgrounds, remains committed to unlocking the global potential for green transition and decarbonization. Their dedication knows no bounds, as they work tirelessly to overcome barriers and challenges. After all, engineers possess the unique capability to drive transformative change.
The UNECE Sustainable Energy Week 2023 in Geneva was a resounding success, offering a wealth of knowledge and fostering collaborations. In the road ahead towards a sustainable future, it’s important to remember the importance of inclusivity and the precious contributions of organizations like CEET, which will strive to collaborate to build resilient energy systems that benefit us all.
The contributions from the experts, Selen Inal and Maher Chebbo are online and can be accessed through the following links:
About CEET
Under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General, the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET) is a global, high-level body of engineers and energy systems experts to contribute to the UN Secretary-General’s goal to build a coalition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and to the UN generally on engineering pathways to achieve comprehensive decarbonization by mid-century. CEET is chaired by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).