Promoting Clean Energy Access at COP28

Efficiency for Access displayed its commitment to promoting innovation and advancing clean energy access by contributing to seven key events held at COP28 in December. Jakub Vrba, Senior Research Lead, Lauren Boucher, Research Manager and Lisa Kahuthu, Communications Executive all attended the event on behalf of Efficiency for Access.

30 Nov – Our participation kicked off on the first day of COP28 with Lauren taking part in a panel discussion organised by UNIDO, IEA and the Swedish Energy Agency on: Reflecting Product Energy Efficiency in Sub-Saharan African Countries NDCs. The discussion centred around CLASP’s NDC report and explored ways to include specific energy efficiency and access targets in revised NDCs for Sub-Saharan countries.

2 Dec – Lauren participated in a panel event hosted by CLASP on Pathways to Prevent the Dumping of Inefficient Appliances with Obsolete Refrigerants and highlighted tools such as CLASP’s impacts calculator and Policy Resource Centre to aid policymakers in setting regulations.

4 Dec – At an event organised by the China Energy Conservation Association on Improving Quality and Efficiency, Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction presentation. Lauren shared key findings from CLASP’s Net Zero Heroes report which centered on the global opportunity for energy-efficient appliances to mitigate climate change and improve resilience.

5 Dec – Lisa Kahuthu, Lauren and other Efficiency for Access representatives participated in a private round-table: Mission Efficiency Call to Action which included discussions on CLASP’s Net Zero Heroes report which showed that appliances account for nearly 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions.

8 Dec – Speaking at the Monitoring of Adaptation and Resilience Building Actions High-Level roundtable, Jakub highlighted Efficiency for Access’ role within Race to Resilience, emphasising the importance of off-grid solar appliances in improving people’s lives and livelihoods. Jakub also touched on our monitoring and evaluation process which was well received by the 120 attendees.

At the Race to Resilience – Measuring Resilience Building Jakub presented the Impact Assessment Framework on behalf of Efficiency for Access which showcased the organisation’s dedication to measuring resilience building and contributed to the broader discussion.

10 Dec – Along with the International Institute for Refrigeration, Jakub took part in their workshop: Leapfrog to Sustainable Agricultural Cold Chain in Low-Income Economies. The purpose of the event was to demonstrate and promote the adoption of efficient and climate-friendly cold chain, air conditioning and refrigeration. The publication, ‘Walk-In Cold-Rooms, A Practitioner’s Technical Guide’ was launched.

Finally, last year’s Efficiency for Access Design Challenge Gold winner Siam Ibne Masud was sponsored by Race to Resilience to attend COP28 as a Youth Ambassador to share his story. You can watch a video journalling Siam’s experience of COP28 here.