Energy transitions 2023

Join policymakers, business executives and sustainability leaders for solutions focused dialogue on achieving energy security in line with net-zero ambitions.

Conference
1 March 2023 TO 2 March 2023 — 9:00AM TO 2:00PM
Chatham House and Online
Energy transitions 2023 hero image

Securing a net-zero future

Aligning the need for energy security with global decarbonization targets has become paramount. Affordability and fair access to services such as lighting, cooking and mobility has become a pressing political concern in many high-income countries alongside increasing debt distress amongst less wealthy fuel importers.  At the same time, investment is in flux as many countries try to decrease dependency on Russian imports and protect their economies from price volatility.

Responding to this evolving situation creates new challenges and avenues for technological developments, innovative financing models and coordinated action between all stakeholders at both international and local levels. Such a response also involves managing our dependency on critical minerals that underpin the deployment of renewable technologies and improving energy efficiency in the built environment.

The 2023 Energy Transitions conference explores what pathways to a secure and sustainable net-zero future look like in practice and the collaborative action required to unleash transformation at scale.

Why attend?

  • Explore the geopolitical implications of national energy security and decarbonization targets and methods to address energy supply shortfalls
  • Deepen your understanding of the impacts of current energy pricing trends on consumers and companies
  • Share your perspectives on which technologies and financing strategies will deliver secure, affordable and clean energy in the long-term
  • Benefit from unique insight into the commodities transition and the implications of increasing resource dependency on critical minerals

Who attends?

Chatham House exterior.

The venue

Chatham House is a trusted forum for debate and independent analysis. Our conferences provide access to thought leadership, market insight and influential ideas by bringing together policymakers, world leaders, senior business executives and sector specialists.

Join us at our world-famous Grade II listed home in beautiful St James Square, London.

Agenda

Wednesday 1 March (timings subject to change)

Energy security vs. solidarity

  • How are energy supply shifts reframing geopolitical relationships and in what ways does the pursuit of energy sovereignty effect regional solidarity and established trade relationships?

  • How are longer-term climate mitigation targets balanced against the need for energy security in developed and developing economies?


  • What are the key considerations for international coordination to ensure the security of oil and gas supply alongside fossil fuel phase out?

  • Will markets or governments decide whether energy supply shortfalls are addressed with continued exploitation of fossil fuels or investment in new technologies?

Speakers
Leila Benali
, Minister for the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Kingdom of Morocco
Claire Dykta, Head of Markets, National Grid ESO
Ivana Živković, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Europe and the CIS
Chair: Antony Froggatt, Deputy Director, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House

1000–1115

Networking break

1115–1145

Keynote address

Anja Frada, Chief Operating Officer, Wärtsilä Energy 

1145–1200

Building affordable energy systems

  • How have domestic policy responses to the higher fuel prices impacted affordability and progress on an equitable and orderly transition across different regions?

  • Are price rises and inflationary pressures leading to alignment across energy security and decarbonization policies?


  • Are we seeing a shift away from a supply-side vision of security and how can this be matched with equity, health, and jobs gains?

  • What new demand-side management and improved energy services initiatives are in the pipeline, and will these be implemented most effectively at the national, municipal or utility level?

Speakers
Brenda Boardman MBE, Emeritus Research Fellow, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
Jane Dennett-Thorpe, Deputy Director Net Zero Transition, OFGEM
Anja Frada, Chief Operating Officer, Wärtsilä
Brian Motherway, Head of Energy Efficiency, International Energy Agency
Chair: Glada Lahn, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House

1200–1300

Networking lunch

1300–1400

Five technologies for a fossil free future

  • How can we address the challenges facing the widespread development of batteries and energy storage projects?

  • Which markets will be most disrupted by large-scale hydrogen adoption and what infrastructural changes will be required to facilitate this?


  • How is the role of nuclear energy evolving and are the biggest barriers to large-scale deployment technical, regulatory or rooted in public perception?

  • What are the options for decarbonized heating and cooling and how should domestic policy address these?

  • What do current deployment trends for carbon dioxide removal mechanisms mean for the future of coal, oil and gas?

Speakers
Rana Adib, Executive Director, REN21
Noah Deich, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Carbon Management, Department for Energy, United States of America
Mike Hemsley, Deputy Director, Energy Transitions Commission
Chair: Hannah Thomas-Peter, Climate Change and Energy Correspondent, Sky News

1400–1500

Keynote address

The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero


Chair: Antony Froggatt, Deputy Director, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House

1500–1530

Networking break

1530–1600

Next generation power: Critical minerals

Exclusive to in-person participants only and held under the Chatham House Rule.

  • What are the broader environmental and social impacts of the growing demand for green minerals such as cobalt, copper and nickel and rare earths?

  • What kinds of technological innovation will enable circular economy approach to recycling substances such as cobalt?


  • How will energy related metals influence the growth of new resource superpowers and what are the implications for political stability and security?

Speakers
Clare Eilbeck, Head of Portfolio Strategy, BHP
Paul Ekins OBE, Professor of Resources and Environment Policy, Bartlett School Environment, Energy & Resources, University College London
Andrew Hanratty, Head of Business, UK/Europe, Mint Innovation
Henry Sanderson, Executive Editor, Benchmark Source, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence 
Chair: Leslie Hook, Natural Resources Editor, Financial Times

1600–1715

Networking reception

1715–1815

Close of day one

1815

Thursday 2 March (timings subject to change)

Realizing the green industrial revolution

  • What is industry’s role in balancing global growth with the phase out of fossil fuels?

  • Which recent technological innovations will be most viable to decarbonize key sectors such as transport, manufacturing and construction?


  • What are the key components of a credible decarbonization strategy and robust transition plan?

  • How is the market responding to the UK Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT)’s disclosure framework?

  • How can collaboration between multinational companies and national governments be facilitated to foster greener supply chains?

Speakers
Nicolette Bartlett, Chief Impact Officer, CDP 
Debbie Gordon, Senior Principal, Climate Intelligence, RMI
Tania Kumar, Head of Decarbonization, CBI
Rob Macaire CMG, Chief Adviser, UK and International Affairs, Rio Tinto
Chair: Daniel Quiggin, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House

1000–1100

Networking break

1100–1130

Financing a just transition

  • Do we need to rethink the financial system to unlock the capital flows needed to accelerate the transition to net-zero?

  • Is societal value adequately accounted for in assessing the progress and impacts of the energy projects and transition plans?


  • What policy reforms will be required to support the Just Energy Transitions Partnerships (JETPs) funding model, what financing instruments will be offered and which financiers and donors need to be engaged?

  • What are the most promising ways to overcome barriers to investment in infrastructure upgrades and deployment of renewable energy solutions at scale in emerging and developing countries?

Speakers
Paul Kunert, Managing Director, Havergate Infrastructure Partners
Rachel Kyte, Dean, Fletcher School, Tufts University
Ute Collier, Deputy Director, Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre, IRENA
Glenn Pearce-Oroz, Senior Director of International Relations and Special Projects, SEforALL
Chair: Camilla Fenning, Programme Lead, E3G

1130–1230

Networking lunch

1230–1330

Close of conference

1330

Supporters

Media partners

Support a conference

Interested in sponsoring a conference? For all enquiries, please contact Amy McFie.