Announced major new initiatives on greening urban energy, the phasing out of oil and gas, and promoting hydrogen as a clean fuel

On Energy Action Day 16 September 2021, nations, the private sector, cities and international organizations announced major new initiatives on greening urban energy, the phasing out of oil and gas, and promoting hydrogen as a clean fuel. The virtual event, which took place ahead of the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy, aimed to accelerate collective action towards net-zero and climate-resilient energy systems. The Energy Action Day was jointly hosted by Denmark, IRENA, UNEP and the World Economic Forum.

Coming just two months before the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the event saw the launch of the Urban Energy Coalition and the Green Hydrogen Compact Catalogue and an announcement on the creation of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) amongst others.

As highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last month, humanity’s continued dependence on fossil fuels is warming the world. The energy sector accounts for approximately 65 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, which need to be halved by 2030 and eliminated by 2050 to stay on track to head off the worst impacts of climate change.

In order to achieve targets of net zero emissions, increasing the uptake of green hydrogen will be critical, especially in energy intensive sectors where emissions are hardest to abate. Sectors such as heavy industry, shipping and aviation.

The Green Hydrogen Compact Catalogue is a collection of commitments by a broad range of stakeholders that will contribute to accelerating the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem and value chain. By showcasing action, the Catalogue aims to spark dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders and to inspire further commitments. The Catalogue is a result of a broad and inclusive partnership among key countries, international organizations and the private sector.