14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM-14) & Mission Innovation-8 (MI-8): Ushering in new clean energy collaborations 

USAID’s South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) Program joined forces with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and hosted an event on “Accelerating India’s Net Zero Transition through Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Cooling & Mobility” in Goa on July 22, 2023, as part of CEM-14. This ministerial meeting aimed to accelerate the global transition to a clean, sustainable, and inclusive energy future through collaborative efforts and collective action. This year, the platform brought together chief secretaries, business leaders, policymakers, and experts from various geographies to increase the deployment of clean and efficient energy solutions.

Stanzin Chosphel, Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh; Pradeep Kumar Jena, Chief Secretary Govt of Odisha; Shri Ajay Jain, (Special Guest), Special Chief Secretary, Govt of Andhra Pradesh and Tilman Kuban (Member of German Bundestag) were present on the occasion along with participants from BEE, industry, academia, State Nodal Agencies (SDAs), development institutions, and international organisations.

EESL signed a strategic MOU with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), India to shape forward-looking strategies and programs. This transformational partnership encompasses key areas such as super-efficient cooling and heating, integrated energy efficiency services, utility energy management, demand flexibility, electric mobility, and regional expansion in South Asia.

To fast-track the global adoption of energy efficiency solutions, EESL further held discussions and exchanged 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in line with its energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, clean cooking, and energy efficient cooling goals.

India, with a population of over 1.3 billion, also recognizes the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy solutions while ensuring economic growth and energy security. Energy efficiency is crucial in achieving NetZero emissions. CEM provides a platform for India to showcase its commitment to sustainable development through energy efficiency measures across sectors like industry, transportation, buildings, and agriculture.

The conference addressed policy frameworks, financial mechanisms for clean energy investments, and international cooperation for scaling energy-efficient solutions. These kinds of meetings will foster cooperation and collaboration in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with the expansion of energy efficiency energy measures.