Nearly 400 CEOs and 34 Nations participated in the first-ever Global Clean Energy Action Forum held last week in Pittsburgh to accelerate new technology commercialization and bolster the global transition to net-zero emissions. The event ended with an incredible array of announcements, including a commitment of $94 billion for clean energy demonstration projects backed by 16 countries. This announcement seems to align with a recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) that found that at least $90 billion of public funding needs to be raised by 2026 for commercial-scale clean energy demonstration projects to meet global climate goals.
This three-day conference also convened the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and 7th Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI), two essential international platforms for collaboration on clean energy innovation and deployment.
The United States released several announcements at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum, including:
- $94BN for Clean Energy Technology Demonstrations: The United States is devoting $21.9 billion to clean energy demonstrations. Governments contributing to the Challenge included: Australia, Canada, the European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
- Launch of the Zero-Emissions Government Fleet Declaration: Launched by the United States under the CEM’s Electric Vehicle Initiative, signatory governments committed to 100% zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions of their government-owned and operated fleet. In addition, it declared aspirations toward 100% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle acquisitions – by no later than 2035. Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, and Norway joined the declaration.
- Launch of New Industrial Heat EarthShot by Department of Energy (DOE): This new initiative aims to develop cost-competitive industrial heat decarbonization technologies with at least 85% lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Therefore, the Industrial Heat Shot™ seeks to dramatically reduce the cost, energy use, and carbon emissions associated with the heat used to make our everyday products.
- Launch of Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) Program by DOE: DOE released the H2Hubs Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to establish an $8B program to develop at least four H2Hubs that demonstrate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen. The H2Hubs are a vital pillar of DOE’s draft National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap released at GCEAF.
- The U.S. Sustainable Aviation Fuels Grand Challenge Roadmap: A collaborative effort between the U.S. Departments of Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture, the Grand Challenge is a public-private effort to reduce cost, enhance sustainability, and expand production to achieve 3 billion gallons per year of domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production
- Release of $4.9 billion for Carbon Management Programs: DOE announced nearly $4.9 billion in funding to bolster investments in the carbon management industry to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by power generation and industrial operations.