Energy leaders launch 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact
September 27, 2021 | By Maryam Farag
Photo: SEforALL. 
Photo: SEforALL.
Leading energy buyers, suppliers, solutions providers and governments announced the formal launch of the 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact in partnership with Sustainable Energy for All and the UN Energy.
The Compact represents a new global effort to accelerate the transition to a carbon-free electricity sector to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
SEforALL and Google made the announcement during the United Nations High level Dialogue on Energy in New York. In addition to Google, founding signatories of the Compact include The AES Corporation, Orsted, EDP, the city of Des Moines, Iowa, the government of Iceland, and others.
A carbon-free electricity sector is the foundation for creating a net-zero emissions global economy. Electricity generates 25 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, and is key to decarbonizing other sectors of the economy, including buildings, transport, and industry.
“The world is at a crossroads. We can either continue with business as usual or embrace change that leads to a more sustainable and equitable future. This starts with making the important link between energy and climate,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO, SEforALL and Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General. “The Energy Compacts that have been put forward as part of this historic UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy have resulted in ambitious commitments and actions that will help address energy poverty while working towards decarbonization. The 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact represents a critical partnership across business, countries, cities and others that will propel us closer to our 2030 Global Energy Goals.”
“Tackling climate change requires government and business to work together with urgency and focus. The Compact is the first collective action group to bring together companies, national and local governments, and other stakeholders to drive innovation and investment in 24/7 carbon-free electricity grids, and we are hopeful that it will facilitate significant progress. Time is not on our side– we need to act now– and we look forward to others joining with Google in our efforts,” said Ruth Porat, CFO, Google.
