About the Programme

Recent global energy crises have triggered a renewed focus on managing security while progressing energy transitions at an unprecedented speed and scale. The global ambition is clear, but visions and decarbonisation pathways differ. This thematic will navigate the new energy maps shaped by climate change, geopolitics, and new technologies, and the deeper societal transformation opportunities of globally inclusive energy transitions.

What new approaches to systemic leadership and collaboration are emerging? How can we better connect the dots between energy and climate security with societal wellbeing and planetary health? How can we better bridge the leadership conversation in a more polarised era?

Increasingly diverse energy mixes – from low carbon fuels to renewable power systems – are driving wider demand for critical materials, the development of global energy vectors and value chains, and new storage solutions. This thematic will explore the role of new fuels, new power systems and new storage challenges, including hydrogen and bio-based fuels, electricity generated in space and giga-batteries. 

What are the most exciting new frontiers as we redesign energy systems for people and planet? How might these frontiers change the shape of energy systems to come? 

The best way to make faster, fairer and more far reaching energy transitions happen is to involve more people and diverse communities. This thematic will convene visionary leaders and doers from across the world and from all levels of modern energy societies to share real-life experiences and stories about progressing successful energy transitions in their community, country and region.

What will we learn about building trust and creating buy-in within and between increasingly diverse and connected modern energy societies? Who needs to be involved in the process? How can communities become better involved in securing more energy for their sustainable development visions and needs?   

For more than a decade, the World Energy Council’s landmark World Energy Trilemma has been used to measure performance and guide national energy policy in over 120 countries by connecting the dots between security, affordability and environmental sustainability. This thematic will explore how each of these dimensions is evolving.

What new metrics are available for modern energy access, fairness and affordability, and new security and climate resilience challenges? Who is leading in managing the inherent trade-offs and leveraging synergies? What more do we learn by combining the Trilemma navigation with scenarios stress testing?   

Energy transitions around the world are not moving fast enough to keep global warming below 1.5^oC. Implementation gaps are widening on several fronts, including the flow of investment,  development of infrastructure, structural inequalities, and climate change momentum. This thematic will explore the implications of policy and institutional innovation in accelerating decarbonisation with fairness and inclusion.

How can societal transformation keep up with the accelerating pace of technological innovation? What are we learning about how new energy ecosystems are driving impact at speed and scale? How do we close the gap between ambition and action?