Clean Energy Ministerial 6 (CEM6)

On the last day the Sixth Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM6) continued in Mérida, Mexico, on Thursday, 28 May 2015. Ministers and senior officials met in a closed meeting to discuss: priority initiatives for ministerial focus at CEM7; new work streams; and the CEM 2.0 opportunity. Delegates considered the CEM Global Lighting Challenge: a race to reach cumulative sales of 10 billion high-efficiency, high-quality, and affordable lighting products. 

Delegates also discussed the CEM Power System Challenge as way to increase efficiency, smart grid technologies and increase the use of renewable energy sources. The delegates considered additional support for the Scaled-Up Clean Energy Solution Center with Finance Portal. Delegates also discussed the challenge of integrating varied sources of energy in an efficient manner into the power system transformation, welcoming collaboration across sectors and regions.

Delegates recognized the role of IT in the clean energy transformation, identifying future work to value all the services required. Delegates referenced the abundance of business models that support the important need to stabilize power supply.Delegates agreed to explore a new work stream on global sustainable cities and to take forward work on: market accessibility of clean energy products; ISO 50 001- the energy management standard; and CEM's Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Women's Initiative.

Ernest Moniz, US, introduced a video of President Obama announcing that the US will host CEM7, which was followed by China's announcement it will host CEM8.Moniz applauded the accomplishments of CEM6. Looking to the future, he highlighted efforts to scale up the Clean Energy Solutions Center, a possible energy productivity initiative, and further development of market accessibility to clean energy.

In closing, Joaquín emphasized actions on efficient lighting; low-carbon power systems; a clean energy finance portal; and the value of including the private sector and international agencies. He thanked the participants and the Government of Yucatán, wished all a safe journey home, and closed CEM6 at 12:25pm.

The Sixth Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM6) Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, Secretary of Energy, Mexico, welcomed delegates and highlighted the potential for the CEM to democratize energy. Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, US, highlighted progress on CEM initiatives that have efficiently shared best practices and provided market signals to spur a broad transformation to clean energy.

Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology, China, identified the need to accelerate development and cooperation to make progress on clean energy transformational.Ibrahim Baylan, Minister of Environment and Energy, Sweden, said his country prioritizes developing sustainable, secure and competitive energy systems and providing investors and industry with clear signals on clean energy.

Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA), observed that the availability of technology at the 'right cost' is the enabling factor for the transition to clean energy.Adnan Amin, Director-General, IRENA, emphasized that clean energy transition is driven by investment and appropriate policies to unlock the production of equipment and drive down costs to deliver clean energy.

Public-private Roundtable discussions were held on: accelerating energy productivity; sustainable urban energy systems; achieving a social license for clean energy deployment; finance for energy access; power system transformation and utilities for the future; and public-private consortia for advanced clean energy technology research.

In the afternoon a clean energy finance presentation on investment trends around the world was made. A panel discussion centered on innovative approaches to scale-up finance for clean energy projects.

The CEM Awards Ceremony were held at the end of the day with recipients being recognized for energy-efficient electric motors, smart grid innovation and clean energy education and empowerment.