1st G20 Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting
Tokyo, Japan
The International Energy Forum (IEF) took part in the first meeting of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) held in parallel with the first Environment Senior Officials Meeting (ESOM) on 12-13 February 2019 in Tokyo. With the aim to accelerate the virtuous cycle of environmental protection and economic growth by innovation ETWG and ESOM meetings shall work in tandem towards the first joint energy and environment ministers meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth convening on 15-16 June in Karuizawa under the G20 Presidency of Japan.
ETWG sessions focused on the possibilities of innovation in the energy sector, developments in energy demand and supply, and international oil and gas market security. The IEF was invited to present the achievements gained from cooperation between consumers and producers, activities contributing to energy security and energy transitions, as well as greater energy data transparency to improve secure and sustainable energy market functioning in the framework of the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) coordinated by the IEF with JODI Partner Organisations (APEC, Eurostat, IEA, GECF, OLADE, OPEC, UNSD).
Among the many initiatives ongoing to stabalise markets and advance orderly energy transitions the role of the IEF and JODI are key the chair noted in his summary. Discussions highlighted the need to advance investment and innovation in the energy sector and focussed on the role of new technologies to accelerate successful energy sector transformations. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and other new gas technologies, renewables integration, cleaner use of hydrocarbons, as well as infrastructure resilience are all important levers to improve market conditions and enable greater energy access and resource efficiency.
