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Cleaner Electricity Systems

Introduction

clean_electricity

The Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Systems (formerly known up until May 2019 as the Expert Group on Cleaner Electricity Production from Fossil Fuels) is a subsidiary body of the Committee on Sustainable Energy (CSE) that focuses on activities that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired electricity generation. These activities are developed and implemented with the active participation of UNECE member States, representatives from the energy and financial sectors and civil society, independent experts and academia. Read more

In focus

Group of Experts on Cleaner Electricity Systems, nineteenth session
03 - 04 October, Room III, Palais des Nations Geneva Switzerland

The session will take into consideration the efforts of the Committee on Sustainable Energy towards building resilient energy systems in the UNECE region.

Following up on the Sustainable Energy Week the UNECE energy expert community is gathering at the Almaty Energy Forum from 14 - 16 November 2022. 

This year’s 3-day Forum will gather regional policymakers, energy industry, finance sector and academia representatives, especially science and development researchers, to

The key themes of the 3-day dialogue include:

  • Innovating & modernizing energy systems in Central Asia through low- and zero-carbon technology interplay
  • Deploying energy-water-land nexus approach in Central Asia
  • Strengthening regional cooperation & building cross-regional technical and institutional capacity

 

UNECE Task Force on Carbon Neutrality developed a Carbon Neutrality Toolkit for policymakers to make informed decisions on how nations can accelerate the energy transition towards attaining carbon neutrality. 

Carbon Neutrality is needed now! Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) must peak now if global warming is to be limited to 2°C. ​CO2 removal is key to eliminate GHG emissions from the existing, predominantly fossil fuel-based infrastructure, ensure reliable energy services and social cohesion, and enable a smooth transition.   

Improving energy efficiency and decarbonising energy supply are essential to meet the Paris Agreement targets. Renewable energy, highly efficient fossil fuels with carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS), nuclear power, and hydrogen will all be part of the mix. Only bold, immediate, and sustained action can decarbonize energy in time. International cooperation is essential to support all countries in the UNECE region to build resilience of the energy system and to accelerate energy transition towards attaining carbon neutrality.

Highlights

All Innovative Low and Zero Carbon Technologies Are Required to Deliver on Climate Targets

UN Energy features UNECE work on Carbon Neutrality in the Newsletter. Recent research from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has found that innovative energy technologies are key to reaching carbon neutrality. UNECE explains how this next generation of nuclear power, hydrogen, and carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) is particularly vital to achieving climate targets.

How does the land use of different electricity sources compare?

All energy production takes up land – whether it’s for a power plant, or to dig minerals out of the ground. Which sources use the most land, and which use it most efficiently? Check out latest analysis by the Our World in Data based on the UNECE latest report on Lifecycle Assessment of Electricity Generation Options.