- The European energy system is facing a monumental transformation to combat climate change effectively. To reach the globally agreed target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, massive investments are required in the energy sector. The International Energy Agency (IEA) recognizes the urgency of these investments and highlights the need for both mature and emerging technologies to meet the 2030 and 2050 targets. Strong policies and collaborative actions are essential to accelerate these solutions, says EVP Sustainability Nils Røkke from SINTEF.
The GreenShift events serve as a catalyst for this collaboration. The series consists of four dedicated gatherings, focusing on three key areas:
- Offshore Wind (Amsterdam, September 11, 2023): Exploring the key role of collaboration to reach the current ambitions among the North Sea Countries as stated in the Oostende-declaration, and laying the groundwork for a European Centre of Excellence (ECoE) in research and innovation.
- Carbon Capture, Use, Transport and Storage (Düsseldorf, September 21, 2023): Identifying actions to develop transnational cooperation, strong messaging, and consistent strategies for the realisation of CCS/CCUS as an important climate technology, it also includes low carbon hydrogen enabled by CCS.
- Green Maritime Shipping (Copenhagen, November 23, 2023): Focusing on sustainable shipping solutions.
Lastly, there will be a culminating event in Brussels early 2024, encapsulating the collective efforts and insights gained from the three previous gatherings.
These events will bring together distinguished representatives from government entities, civil society, the industrial value chain, and key research institutions across the five participating countries.
- The European business sector plays a pivotal role in developing and delivering innovative energy solutions. Governments must provide the necessary policy frameworks to accelerate this transition while ensuring equitable sharing of costs and opportunities. Research projects funded by the Horizon Europe programme have been instrumental in fostering innovations and reducing risks associated with the transition, says Røkke. It is the perfect companion to our national investment vehicles for research and innovation, most notably Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway and ENOVA.
The GreenShift events are designed to promote dialogue and knowledge sharing among stakeholders from business, civil society, government, and research. Centered around the North Sea Basin, these events address pan-European ambitions, challenges, and potential solutions.
For more information about the GreenShift events, please visit the SINTEF blog: Kicking off the GreenShift events
