Dialogue Agenda

The need for an ever faster and deeper energy transition was reiterated at last year’s COP28. Its key decisions underscored the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels and set ambitious targets to double energy efficiency and triple renewable energy by 2030.

In the midst of this imperative, the case for the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) has never been stronger. As a central international platform, BETD brings together diverse stakeholders from all over the world and provides a critical link to practical action.

In keeping with this commitment, the opening of the 10th edition of BETD will feature a special discussion with host and Minister Annalena Baerbock. Distinguished guests from policy and business will shed light on the challenges for implementing the COP decision and set the stage on which the conference will unfold.

The twin COP28 decisions of tripling renewable-energy capacities and doubling the rate of energy-efficiency improvements until 2030 mark a significant milestone to the renewables industry, signaling a collective commitment towards widespread adoption of clean energy sources and energy efficiency improvements. This generates a global momentum for practitioners: Not only does the increasing demand create favourable market conditions, the deal to ‘triple up & double down’ also provides a clear signal to investors and financial institutions about the long-term viability and profitability of renewable energy projects. Greater investment flows into the sector could unlock much-needed funding for new projects, infrastructure development, and technological innovation.

Nevertheless, ongoing challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles slow down private investments and business initiative while grid integration and storage capacity still evoke planning uncertainty. Favourable policies and regulatory frameworks are urgently needed at both the national and international level to accelerate the transition to clean and reliable energy sources. In this Dialogue Hub Session, the impetus of COP28 on the renewables sector is discussed with two stakeholders from the renewables industry. How can private businesses from the renewables industry exploit these new potentials, and what are challenges where they need the support of politics to fulfill their pivotal role in reaching 1.5°C?

With the Paris Agreement, we are committed to keep global warming below 1.5℃. Limiting the rise of temperature to this threshold is still possible and requires a rapid end to the burning of fossil fuels, a faster increase in energy efficiency, and a significant expansion of renewable energy. At the COP28 in Dubai, the 198 signatory parties of the UNFCCC agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, to double the rate of energy-efficiency improvements and to triple renewable-energy production capacities until 2030 –commitments that signal new momentum for the global energy transition.

There are signs that warrant optimism: The global energy transition has picked up speed in recent times, driven by economies of scale in renewable-energy technologies, favorable policy-making in a number of countries and the growing realisation that perpetuating the use of fossil fuels will be too expensive. Nevertheless, further acceleration is needed –in speed, scale, scope, and for eliminating regional disparities.

The session discusses the current state of the global energy transition and highlights its recent success stories and remaining challenges in countries and regions around the globe. On this basis, participants debate how the targets set in Dubai can be achieved through concrete actions.

Two questions are central to the discussion: Which policies –national, international and multilateral– do we need to arrive at threefold renewable-energy capacities and doubled energy-efficiency improvements by 2030? What is the role of the private sector, and what are –in his opinion– the prerequisites for accelerating the global energy transition to the scale, scope and regional distribution compatible with the 2030 goals?

A lot has happened since the first BETD ten years ago. Notably, renewable energy has experienced a remarkable upswing, with global expansion accelerating each year. Last year, renewable energy sources accounted for over 80 percent of all new electricity generation capacity, while the energy crisis triggered by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine highlighted the issue of supply security.

Simultaneously, the costs of solar power and wind energy as well as storage solutions continue to fall, making them the most economically attractive energy sources in many regions today. With ever better and cheaper batteries, wind and solar power can be stored for longer, thus further increasing their share. All the while, we see new financing instruments on the market, advancements in energy savings and phasing-out fossil, and reforms to energy markets and prices.

Despite these successes, CO2 emissions are not being reduced fast enough and continue to rise in some regions. The next few years are therefore crucial. Because if we do not act immediately, by 2030 we will be emitting twice as much GHGs globally as are permitted to achieve 1.5 degrees.

In this session, we will explore the question of how the energy transition can be further accelerated. At the same time, we will reflect on lessons learned in ten years of the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, we are inviting the founders of this largest international energy transition conference onto the stage for the first time. 
Even ten years ago, they knew that we could only meet the challenges of climate change and – in order to stop it – the energy transition by working together.  This is how this unusual partnership between the German government, associations and the private sector came about in order to create an international conference that truly involves all decision-makers from politics, business, science and society.

In order to effectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, companies need climate neutral supply chains – but getting there is highly complex.

Companies can decarbonise their Scope 1 and 2 emissions relatively easily by avoiding their direct CO2 emissions and sourcing their energy purchases from renewable sources. However, most of the greenhouse gases associated with companies‘ products and services are Scope 3 emissions, which are generated upstream or downstream in their supply chains. For many companies, these emissions account for up to 80 percent of their carbon footprint. Accounting for these emissions is a major challenge which also makes it difficult to identify emissions hotspots within supply chains that need to be addressed. In addition, 80 to 90 percent of global trade is handled via shipping routes, which are currently still difficult to decarbonise. Nevertheless, great efforts are also being made to reduce emissions in this area.

At the same time, sustainable access to critical raw materials is particularly important for the energy transition. Critical materials like neodymium, dysprosium, lithium but also cobalt, nickel and copper are the resources needed to produce numerous key technologies for the energy transition, including wind turbines, solar panels, batteries for EVs and electrolysers.

The industry sector accounts for almost half of total energy system emissions. This session delves into the Climate Club, an open, co-operative and inclusive forum of climate ambitious countries dedicated to propelling industrial decarbonisation and advancing global climate leadership. Officially inaugurated by heads of states and governments at COP28, the Climate Club focuses on ambitious targets, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors like steel and cement, aligning with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Within this session, we will thoroughly explore the Climate Club, where close to 40 countries, including members from the global South collaborate to align decarbonisation strategies. Co-chaired by Germany and Chile with with an interim Secretariat at the OECD and IEA, the Club serves as a platform to discuss and coordinate activities to decarbonise the industrial sector, minimise the risks of carbon leakage, expand markets for green industrial products, and foster partnerships for industrial decarbonisation. The Climate Club also aims to address competitive disadvantages or relocation pressures on domestic industries in leading climate protection nations. Join us to unravel the Club’s transformative aims, exploring its inclusive ethos, operational nuances, and the pivotal roles of the global community in shaping industrial decarbonisation’s future. Discover the Climate Club’s potential as a catalyst for leadership on industrial decarbonisation.

As the world continues to fight climate change, more and more money is being invested in the transition to clean, green energy. The agreement to triple renewables at cop28 in Dubai represents a step change in the world’s journey to a clean, secure and just energy future. In a sign of how much progress is being made, the International Energy Agency’s world energy investment report predicts that solar investments will attract more than $1 billion a day by 2023. Led by solar, low-emission technologies are expected to account for nearly 90 percent of power generation investment.

Yet, investment in clean energy technologies is still not significantly outpacing spending on fossil fuels; we need to make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. Furthermore, it is important to remember that investment flows into renewable energy and its technical components are currently unevenly distributed. There is also a need to reduce the cost of capital for developing countries to de-risk power system investments. The course for the energy of the future is being set now – in this session, we will look at financial instruments and policies that are essential to benefit the whole world.

South America is pivotal in steering the worldwide shift towards ecological sustainability, even as the impact of environmental alterations intensifies within the region. This region commands a rich tapestry of natural and developed resources and therefore holds the potential to significantly bolster global energy security and advance the cause of sustainable energy practices, provided that the region enacts robust policy frameworks. Furthermore, these resources could not only fuel the region’s own energy transformation but also serve as an economic catalyst, reversing a protracted period of modest economic expansion.

Latin America and the Caribbean stand out with an energy matrix among the most pristine on the globe, setting a promising stage for future endeavors in clean energy sectors. Renewable energy sources, predominantly hydropower, are responsible for 60 percent of the region’s electrical generation — double the worldwide average. This region also boasts some of the planet’s most exceptional wind and solar potentials, particularly in nations like Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. Bioenergy utilisation is a common thread throughout these nations, strengthening their position as significant biofuel exporters.

The session deals with the critical issue of skill shortages in the renewable energy sector, with a focus on strategies to bridge the gap and cultivate a robust workforce. The focus will be on structural change, the often overlooked potential of women and targeted qualification measures for career changers in this domain. The discussion will draw insights from leading scientists investigating the labour shortage in the energy transition, addressing the challenges, potential solutions, and the importance of building a workforce capable of driving the green transition.

Discussions will encompass gender diversity, targeted qualification measures, and innovative solutions to empower career changers and address the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector. The session illuminates opportunities in regions affected by the coal phase-out, emphasising the importance of green jobs and harnessing the expertise of the existing workforce. Join us in unraveling the pathways to a sustainable and inclusive energy future through skill development and structural adaptation.

Benoît Revaz, Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, will speak on the topic of „Skills shortage in the renewable energy sector: some concrete examples from a national perspective“, while Lisa Kratochwill will look at the skills shortage from the perspective of technological progress. Her presentation is dedicated to the topic „AI and the Energy Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities – Preparing Skilled Workers for an AI-driven Future“.

The reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector holds immense potential for achieving the 1.5º target. The IEA estimates that with existing technology alone around 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuel operations could be reduced. The technology is available, cost-effective and actionable in a short timeframe. But so far fossil fuel industries have been slow to tackle the problem and governments lax to monitor or regulate the sector.

In recent years new data collection instruments, especially drones and satellites, presented remote-sensing data stirring up public attention due to the immense scale of the problem. The Methane Alert Response System (MARS developed by the International Methane Emissions Observatory, IMEO) and partners, offers a powerful tool to identify gas leaks quickly and react promptly to mitigate super emitter events or large continuous leaks.

Meanwhile, national governments are agreeing to methane reduction targets, for example the EU Methane Regulation suggests a reduction target of 58% by 2030 compared to 2020 in the energy sector. At the same time, the Global Methane Pledge launched at COP26 in Glasgow is an international initiative that encourages countries, companies, and other entities to commit to reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

However, according to the IEA, more ambition is necessary: in order to reach net zero emissions by 2050, methane emissions from fossil fuel operations must fall by around 75% between 2020 and 2030.

Different regions of the world have recognised that domestic production of renewable energy equipment can be a key contributor to greater resilience.

The EU plans to increase production capacity for eight selected key technologies to the point where they could meet at least 40 percent of European demand on average by 2030.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act seeks to boost U.S.-based manufacturing of clean energy infrastructure and equipment. The bill includes at least $15 billion in clean manufacturing tax credits to increase domestic manufacturing capacity for solar panels, wind turbines, and lithium batteries.

Electric cars and home storage systems can act as both producers and consumers and thus relieve the load on the grid. In the EU, around 40 percent of grids are 40 years old or older. At that time, however, grids were designed as one-way streets from the large electricity producers to the consumers. At the time, no one thought about decentralised renewable energies or wind and solar parks on land or at sea.

But that is now set to change. In order to implement the European Green Deal, the EU Commission presented an action plan at the end of 2023 to make the European electricity grids fit for the future. The Commission expects electricity consumption to increase by 60 percent by 2030. In addition, grids are to become more flexible, decentralised and digital and cross-border electricity trading is to double. The cost: almost 600 billion euros.

In the meantime, the grid should also become smarter and adapt demand to fluctuating supply. The roll-out of smart meters provides consumers with the necessary incentives. The enormous growth in renewable energies poses a major challenge for the local electricity grids, particularly in Africa. According to IRENA, generation capacities are set to increase almost tenfold to 530 gigawatts by 2040. However, many people, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are still not connected to the public power grid. Renewable energies, and photovoltaics in particular, nevertheless enable these people to cover their energy needs, often as part of stand-alone grids. Consideration is currently being given to how these off-grids can be integrated into the public grid and at the same time enable cross-border electricity trading, particularly of renewable electricity.

In Europe in particular, dependence on Russian energy supplies has been and remains high. Many countries have purchased gas, oil and coal from Russia, some also electricity. And even more than two years after the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the use of energy as a weapon by Russia, some European countries still obtain energy from Russia.

How can dependence on Russia be further reduced? And what role can electricity grids play in this?

The evening reception is clearly one of the Highlights of the BETD. Taking place in the evening of the first day of the BETD Conference, the event offers BETD und Berlin Energy Week guests an exclusive evening of networking and lively exchange – accompanied by well-selected food and drinks. The presentation of the Start Up Energy Transition Award, which is presented in 5 categories, provides a special shine and excitement and shows what ideas affecting the global energy transition and climate change young start-ups and young companies are working on worldwide. After the ceremony guests are invited to enjoy the entertainment programme.

A shuttle bus will run between the Federal Office and the WECC.

Start of programme: 19:30 CET
Start of dinner: 20:30 CET

After the ceremony guests are invited to enjoy an exclusive networking opportunity with food, drinks and music.

More information coming soon.

Register here

Wildfires were breaking records last year and devastating floods and droughts triggered millions of displacements around the world. Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLC) are often at the frontlines when it comes to dealing with the dire consequences of climate change. Even though Indigenous cultures have contributed the least to the problem, they are disproportionally affected. At the same time, their rights are rarely adequately represented in negotiations even though they possess tremendous traditional knowledge about the interconnectedness of the natural world. It is increasingly acknowledged that the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights is one of the most effective ways of safeguarding our remaining carbon sinks. What is more, community engagement can be crucial in ensuring local acceptance and connectivity of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Consequently, no roadmap to a just energy transition is complete without including the voices of IPLC.

Against this backdrop, this studio session will explore the importance of community engagement and Indigenous knowledge for the energy transition. We will hear from experts about successful community-led energy projects and discuss the challenges and opportunities of incorporating Indigenous knowledge into energy planning. We will also discuss policy recommendations for an inclusive and participatory energy transition, including considerations for stakeholder engagement, cultural sensitivity, and intergenerational equity.

As the expansive adoption of renewable energy gains momentum and economies are moving away from fossil fuels, we need to make the transformation ahead of us equitable and inclusive and treat it as an opportunity to dismantle structural disadvantages. By upscaling renewable energy sources in off-grid areas, we can provide reliable access to electricity in remote areas and thus strengthen participation. The need for skilled workers also holds the chance to break down entry barriers that women, especially those experiencing multiple forms of discrimination, and other minorities face. Only if they have a seat at the negotiation table, we can create energy systems that acknowledge the needs of people from different regions, backgrounds and gender. To initiate meaningful action and facilitate lasting change, awareness of the interconnectedness of gender and diversity must be raised within all social, institutional and political bodies, including within the energy sector. Intersectional perspectives are needed to raise awareness of different, complex forms of discrimination prevalent in our societies today. If we want to create a holistic energy system that works for everyone we need to consider multiple perspectives and knowledge and embrace diversity in decision making.

In this panel discussion we will take a look at the steps that need to be taken in terms of policy design and energy planning in order to achieve a just and equitable energy transition. An intersectional approach prevents us from combating one form of discrimination at the expense of another. We will also debate the role of privileged groups in reshaping the structures that perpetuate discrimination and the concept of allyship.

The science is clear: to keep the 1.5 degrees goal within reach, countries need to immediately end the construction of new coal power plants and phase out existing plants by 2030 in the OECD and EU, and by 2040 elsewhere. Momentum is growing with the Powering Past Coal Alliance as the leading international initiative for phasing out coal power welcoming twelve new members at COP28. Its membership now comprises almost 170 national and subnational governments and companies from the energy and finance sector.

However, billions of dollars of public and especially private money are still being invested in the coal sector. In order to ensure a phase out of coal power, public and private finance flows have to be redirected from supporting coal towards renewable energy.

At the same time, the retirement of coal power plants before the end of their lifetime requires a diverse range of policy measures and innovative financing solutions for the coal-to-clean transition as part of the broader efforts to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Examples include carbon pricing and air quality standards on the one hand, and new initiatives such as the Asian Development Bank’s Energy Transition Mechanism launched at COP27 and France-led Coal Transition Accelerator initiative at COP28 on the other hand. How especially existing coal assets and new investments including from the private sector into coal can be ended and what methods exists, should be discussed in this session.

The panel „Financing an Accelerated Coal Phase-Out – Challenges and Solutions“ will be followed by a pitch, that will elaborate further on coal financing along the whole coal value chain and describe best practices on how institutions have removed their capital from coal financing.

The Energy-Water-Food Nexus refers to the interconnections and interdependencies between energy, water, and food systems. Holistic agricultural solutions that integrate renewable energy sources can contribute to sustainable and resilient approaches for ensuring an adequate and secure supply of water and food.

Agri PV also referred to as agrivoltaics or solar farming, offers farms the opportunity to cultivate crops in a more resource-efficient manner and creating new synergies:

• They enable dual land use, allowing agricultural activities to continue underneath solar panels. This optimises land use, particularly valuable in areas where land is scarce or expensive.
• Moreover, studies have shown that the partial shading provided by solar panels in Agri PV systems can reduce evaporation, maintain soil moisture, and moderate temperature extremes, resulting in improved crop yields.
• Additionally, farmers can use electricity generated by on-site solar panels to power their agricultural operations, reducing energy costs and reliance on the grid, thus mitigating the impact of fluctuating energy prices.

Other technologies such as solar irrigation systems (sometimes paired with water-efficient drip irrigation) have become widely recognised in certain parts of the world often replacing diesel pumps. Solar irrigation holds great promise, especially for smallholder farmers in the Global South who depend on rainfed agriculture and are thus particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. However, they often lack access to knowledge, technology and financing to adopt such solutions. Furthermore, solar offers significant potential along agricultural value chains, enabling better preservation and local processing of crops in off-grid areas. This not only enhances food security but also contributes to climate resilience of communities.

During this DEEP DIVE, we will delve into strategies for driving the energy transition in agriculture, pinpointing remaining obstacles and identifying incentives required for progress.

As key drivers of innovative and inclusive solutions, women are playing an important role in the energy transition throughout the world. However, they continue to be under-represented in the energy sector, especially when it comes to positions with decision-making powers. The Women’s Lunch at BETD is an opportunity for women from around the world to connect and share their efforts and hopes for a global, just and inclusive energy transition.

We are particularly pleased to welcome special guests Elisa Facio, Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay, and Glory Oguegbu, Founder and CEO of the Renewable Energy Technology Institute and Africa Fellowship for Young Energy Leaders, who will share inspirational speeches. We will have a short Q&A session moderated by Kristina Haverkamp, Managing Director of the German Energy Agency (dena), who will also guide through the entire programme. Dr Anna Lührmann, German Minister of State for Europe and Climate, and Dr Vera Rodenhoff, Deputy Director General for International Climate Action and International Energy Transition, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action will give closing remarks as patrons of the event before lunch and networking begin.

Meeting point is the Blaue Halle at 12pm sharp. From there, you are guided to the Lichthof.
Ministers and Ambassadors should note that this year the Women’s Lunch will take place outside the secure area of the Federal Foreign Office.

Meeting point for external guests is the registration of the Federal Foreign Office at Werderscher Markt 1 | 10117 Berlin at 11.45am.
Please bring your ID or passport and plan your time of arrival according to the security check (about 15 minutes).

The programme starts at 12.05pm and ends at 1.30pm.

Register here!

Captive power plants are installed by industrial or commercial organisations on their sites. They are deemed “captive” because the electricity generated is not fed into the grid but is rather for the company’s own (and sometimes for neighboring communities’) use . During this session we only refer to clean captive installations powered by renewable energies.

In the face of high-energy costs and, in some countries, frequent power shortages and lack of efficient transmission infrastructure, captive use of renewable energies can help mitigate these challenges the industry and commerce are encountering.

Green hydrogen, produced with renewable energy, is going to play an important role in achieving greenhouse-gas neutrality – through decarbonisation of non-electrifiable sectors, replacement of grey hydrogen in chemical industry, provision of long-duration energy storage, and as a component of synthetic fuels for transport. However, in a number of countries domestic supply will not be sufficient to satisfy domestic demand, necessitating imports of green hydrogen both in the short and long run.

Currently, the global green-hydrogen industry is still in an early phase, where pilot projects are being set up, but an international market with physical trade of green hydrogen and its derivatives has not yet developed. The session first takes stock of the current situation and then discusses the remaining challenges for suppliers and offtakers of green hydrogen that have to be solved in order to push-start international trade in the commodity. It also debates possible and essential pathways in the transformation of grey-hydrogen production through low-carbon intermediates to green-hydrogen production.

The focus in the subsequent discussion is on the challenge of proliferating, non-uniform or missing sustainability standards for the production and transport of green hydrogen. Sustainability standards here include both the regulatory requirements for electricity procurement and greenhouse gas thresholds, as well as criteria to judge the social and ecological impacts in producer countries. Participants first discuss whether unclear sustainability standards are an impediment for international market development. They then debate how these standards could be harmonised regarding design, methodology, and governance – while taking into account both the necessities of the industry and the developmental needs of the producer countries. Apart from that, possibilities of interoperability and recommendations how to best cope with differing standards will be explored.

Finally, session participants debate the role of green-hydrogen diplomacy in increasing the sustainability impact of international green-hydrogen projects. How can diplomacy help to make green-hydrogen trade a win-win business, with fair and sustainable rewards for both producer and consumer countries and their societies?

Climate Tech and Clean Tech start-ups and innovation are playing a crucial role in our net zero future. That is why the Start-up Energy Transition Global Innovation Platform (SET GIP) wants to give a voice to the innovators of tomorrow to ensure that, firstly, decision makers place energy innovation at the top of their agendas and secondly, that industry leaders employ innovation as the clear path to their decarbonisation goals.

Get to know the winners of this year’s SET Award and find out what role they play in the energy transition with their start-up concerning specific sectors and/or regions. What role do start-ups and scale-ups play in times of crisis? How could technology and business model innovations leverage transition processes? And how could founders pave the way for meeting the COP28 goals?

Apart from transforming energy production, the energy transition is also a driver of decarbonisation in the industrial sector – be it through electrification of processes or through the provision of carbon-free inputs such as green hydrogen. Nevertheless, a residual amount of economic activity cannot be made emission-free, especially when CO2 is a result of chemical reactions, as in certain industries (e.g. cement).

In these cases, carbon capture and utilisation or storage (CCU & CCS) are a bundle of technologies that could prevent CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The session first discusses their technological potential and possible role in attaining climate-neutrality targets, as well as bottlenecks on the way to implementation. It then highlights selected pilot projects and the learnings drawn from these first use cases. One aspect to be discussed are risks, such as leakage, toxic residues of CO2 separation, and environmental damage through CCS infrastructure. Participants will also talk about prerequisites for CCU & CCS to become a commercial market, as well as approaches to make CCU & CCS a business case.

The final question to debate is which policies countries should pursue to maximise the effectiveness, accountability and reliability of CCU & CCS as a lever of decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors. Especially, how can these policies make the technology supportive of the phase-out of fossil fuels, and thus complementary – not substitutional – to the energy transition?