The International Council for Sustainable Energy (ICSE) co-hosted a UNFCCC side event in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy and the Corn Refiners Association on how to realize the Global Stock Take energy transition goals through energy efficiency, clean energy, and a circular economy.

The side event discussed how the path to decarbonization calls on a broad portfolio of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies across the built environment and power sector. It also explored how building a circular economy and taking a holistic systems approach that embraces equity and partnerships will deliver long-term and sustainable success to achieve our climate goals.

Speakers:

Opening Remarks: Thomas Koch Blank, Managing Director, Climate-Aligned Industries, RMI

Panel 1: Innovative Materials – Building Blocks for Net Zero

• Moderator: Jamaica Gayle, Senior Director, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Corn Refiners Association
• Emmanuel Escoto, Manager, Global Cooperation, ASTM International
• James Glueck, Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
• Kolja Kuse, Chief Executive, e5
• Tamra Spielvogel, Senior Director, Climate Policy, Biotechnology Innovation Organization

Panel 2: Scaling the Clean Energy Transition

• Moderator: Anna Freeman, Policy Director, Clean Energy Council
• Sebastian Gallehr, Managing Director, Gallehr & Partners
• Bob Hinkle, President and CEO, Metrus Energy
• Helen Walter-Terrinoni, Director, Global Climate Policy, Trane Technologies
• Craig Whalen, Chief Risk Officer, Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Key Takeaways:

For the second year in a row, the International Council for Sustainable Energy (ICSE) partnered with the Alliance to Save Energy and the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) to host a UNFCCC side event that called for a holistic approach to decarbonization.

The first panel, chaired by Jamaica Gayle of the Corn Refiners Association, featured members of BCSE’s COP 29 delegation, including James Glueck of PBPC and Emmanuel Escoto of ASTM International. This panel took a close look at the emerging stock of biobased and carbon-negative materials, feedstock, and commercial products and discussed the importance of transparent and clear standards in these sectors. Glueck shared how market research shows a high-level support among consumers for biobased products. Escoto offered a call to action for all to join ASTM and form an alliance for additive manufacturing across sectors.

The second panel, chaired by ICSE and Clean Energy Council’s Anna Freeman, took a deep dive into deployment and finance of energy solutions. BCSE members Bob Hinkle of Metrus Energy and Helen Walter-Terrinoni of Trane Technologies highlighted “energy efficiency first” as the primary solution to decarbonization, calling for investment decisions that realize the full range of benefits that energy efficiency provides. They discussed the important role of minimum energy performance standards and building codes to advance deployment. Walter-Terrinoni closed the panel with a challenge to “Go and grow!” and get started on your pathway to decarbonization.