On 29-30 September 2015, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the Asia Centre hosted a conference, Asia and Europe crossing paths on the way to COP21 in Paris, France. The conference explored the energy- and climate-related issues that will be at the core of the COP21 UN Climate Change Conferences. The event also provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change, specifically looking at the role of energy in the transition to a more sustainable future.
Various panels and roundtables held throughout this 2-day conference also examined other thematic areas associated with the topics of energy and climate change, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency, climate finance, emissions trading, climate regulation, private environmental governance as well as resource and risk management.
Held at the Senate, Palais du Luxembourg, in cooperation with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this high-profile event brought together renowned experts from academia, science, business, politics and media from both Asia and Europe, including representatives from the European Commission, the International Energy Agency, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Among the guest speakers present was Ms Laura COZZI, Deputy Head of the Directorate of Global Energy Economics at the International Energy Agency (IAE). During her presentation on Energy and Climate Change and how climate pledges shift the energy sector, she highlighted, “Energy sector must cut emissions, while powering economic growth, boosting energy & increasing energy access”.
This event was the final session of the conference series under the project “Energy Challenges and Climate Change”, building on ASEF’s past work on Sustainable Development and Environment.