Climate

A reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants, including fugitive methane and particle matter, is needed to keep global warming within acceptable thresholds of 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius and to ensure living conditions are healthy and desirable in a rapidly urbanising world. The adoption of the 2015 UN Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals established a common direction toward a more sustainable future, which all IEF members actively contribute to. Though demand growth may decline, a structural reduction in hydrocarbons consumption is doubtful over the next decade. Population growth and underlying requirements for inclusive and just energy transitions call for enhanced dialogue and collaboration on new and innovative policy and technology solutions—solutions that more rapidly reconcile the world's reliance on hydrocarbons with climate goals.

Different energy and climate policies can create breakthroughs. Advances achieved through cost reductions in wind and solar energy technologies in Asian growth economies benefit investment in renewables globally. Making distinct national and regional approaches more transparent creates new chances to deploy policy and clean technologies—at the scale that climate goals require—while reducing risk in densely interconnected world energy markets.

Past pandemics have led governments to step up investment in public utilities to lift health and living standards and share prosperity more widely. Producer-consumer dialogue on COVID-19 responses stand to increase international solidarity and engagement and to unlock investment and trade in smart energy innovations. Green recovery and net-zero-emissions strategies such as the circular carbon economy will enable producers and consumers to accelerate shifts to climate-compliant energy markets and to enrich prospects for sustainable growth globally.

Are We on Track to Meet Renewable Energy Goals?

In spite of continued pandemic-related disruption and rising costs, renewable energy capacity reached a record high in 2021. However, meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement – which will require reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 – means accelerating the growth of renewables in the global energy mix.
Four Ways Energy Access Will Drive the UN's Sustainable Development Goals

Among the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, number 7 focuses on ensuring access to sustainable, cleaner energy. But achieving this goal is not just an end in itself – the impact of improving our energy systems will be felt right across the SDGs.
What's the Target for Carbon Sequestration and How Do We Get There?

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is acknowledged as a critical element of climate action, helping to offset hard-to-abate emissions from heavy industry, aviation and other sectors. But the world’s current CCUS capacity is a fraction of what it needs to be to fulfil its potential. Here’s the scale of that challenge.
Oceans Offer Tantalizing Carbon Capture Potential. Will it be Realized?

The oceans already absorb almost a third of our CO2 emissions and, as calls for greater deployment of carbon capture and storage technology (CCUS) grow, they could be used to store much more. Here's how — and why — this process must be approached with caution.
Caverns, Concrete and Carbonate: The Future of Storing Captured Carbon

Carbon capture has a critical role to play in offsetting the hardest-to-abate emissions and helping limit global warming. This calls for a huge scaling up in carbon storage capacity.
Major Investors Back 'Direct Air Capture' CO2 Technology

Direct air capture (DAC) remains an expensive and energy-intensive way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, a recent surge of investment in R&D could unlock innovative new approaches that allow it to scale up and offset billions of tons of carbon emissions.
Repurposing Coal Infrastructure On The Path To Net Zero

Coal is still a major and necessary source of energy for countries around the world. As they plan sustainable energy transitions, there is opportunity for innovation and adaptation in repurposed coal plants.
The Road to COP 27

COP27 will be held in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from 7-18 November 2022. Leaders are under pressure to start delivering on promises made in the Glasgow Climate Pact last year.
When Climate Action Goes Stratospheric: Geoengineering

Geoengineering – the proposed manipulation of the climate – has long been considered the stuff of science fiction. As the world grapples to limit climate change through rapid, massive cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, geoengineering is gaining traction among some scientists as a potential complement to decarbonization.
Energy Crisis: Temporary Blip Or Prelude To Series Of Global Shocks?

Today’s energy market volatility may be more than a short-term crisis in response to the pandemic, but rather the first of a series of energy shocks that could ripple across industries and global markets.
Collaborating to cut CO2 emissions in Europe's largest port

A game-changing collaboration, the PORTHOS initiative brings together governments, businesses and industry in the fight against climate change. Here's how.
IEF supports G7 commitment to protect energy security in drive to net-zero

The International Energy Forum (IEF) has voiced support for the Group of Seven (G7) Climate and Environment Ministerial meeting for its commitment to invest in decarbonizing energy technologies while effectively balancing energy supply and demand to achieve a low-carbon and secure energy future.
President-Elect Biden Brings New Approach for Energy Innovation & Climate Action

International Energy Forum (IEF) Secretary General Joseph McMonigle said the incoming administration of President-Elect Joe Biden in the United States will bring a new approach for the U.S. in its environmental and energy policy, particularly in terms of climate change.
New Climate Momentum with Recent Asia Emission Reduction Goals

China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea - the three largest economies in East Asia - have pledged new ambitious goals to reduce emissions, signaling the region's determination to play a leading role in the global drive to prioritise action on climate change.
Energy Security Focus of G20 Energy Ministers Meeting

Hosted by the G20 Presidency of Saudi Arabia dedicated to Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All, IEF Secretary General, Joseph McMonigle joined Energy Ministers of G20 nations and invited countries alongside Heads of International Organisations at the G20 Energy Ministers Meeting that convened virtually under the Chairmanship of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
1st IEF-IRENA Seminar on Renewable and Clean Energy Technology Outlooks in Collaboration with KAPSARC

IEF Secretary General, Dr Sun Xiansheng; IRENA Director-General, Franceso La Camera and KAPSARC President, Mr Adam Sieminski co-hosted the First IEF-IRENA Seminar on Renewables and Clean Energy Technology Outlooks in collaboration with KAPSARC on 20 February 2020 at the IEF Headquarters in Riyadh
4th IEF-EU Energy Day: The Green New Deal and Circular Economy

The Secretary General of the International Energy Forum (IEF), Dr Sun Xiansheng, and the Ambassador of the European Union to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, HE Michele Cervone d’Urso, co-hosted the Fourth IEF-EU Energy Day on 18 February 2020 at the IEF Headquarters in Riyadh
8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable

The 8th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable will be held in the Abu Dhabi, UAE on 10th September 2019. The meeting will focus on the role of new technologies for a more competitive and productive world energy mix and 2. Advancing inclusive access to secure, affordable, and sustainable energy services
11th Arab Energy Conference IEF Background Paper

An IEF Dialogue Insight Paper for the Second Ministerial and High Level Session of the 11th Arab Energy Conference (AEC)
6th IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum

The 6th IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum aims to sharpen a collective focus on the energy policies, market trends, and technology options that enable the gas industry to deliver inclusive growth and successful transformations for a secure, inclusive and sustainable energy future.