COP29: time to focus on delivery
The energy transition is happening, but it’s not happening fast enough, or equitably enough. With ambitious (but non-binding) targets already in place at a global level to treble renewables by 2030, now is the time for an acute focus on the practical steps required to unlock the necessary investment on the ground in a way that leaves nobody behind.
COP is a vital opportunity to bring together key actors with the expertise and agency to unblock delivery barriers and get investment flowing where it’s needed.
We know that rapid electrification, and decarbonisation of electricity, holds the key to efforts to mitigating the worst impacts of climate change.
This has been recognised by world leaders who have committed to ambitious targets, including commitments to phase down fossil fuels and to treble renewables capacity while halving demand by 2030, as part of the UAE Consensus reached at COP28.
But targets are the easy bit. We are still to see the necessary level of acceleration of investment into clean energy projects, and the realities of delivering major infrastructure on the ground, at the requisite scale and pace, are crystal clear.
“At SSE, we’ve put delivering net zero at the heart of our strategy backed up with a multi-billion-dollar investment programme focused on mission-critical clean energy infrastructure. COP29 provides the opportunity to speed up the pace of the transition working with a range of international partners to collectively deliver a global just transition.”
Martin Pibworth, Chief Commercial Officer
Our COP29 priorities
At this COP, we are keen to play our part in sharing knowledge and driving constructive debates on:
- How to address the practical barriers to the clean energy transition, including reforming and speeding up planning and permitting of projects, grid build-out, system balancing, effective carbon pricing and supply chain development.
- How to ensure that investment not only flows into clean energy, but does so in an equitable way that supports renewables deployment everywhere, particularly the Global South.
- How to maintain public support and legitimacy for this transformation by ensuring a just transition for people and communities most impacted.
SSE at COP29
We believe that while the COP process is far from perfect, it is the best mechanism the world has for driving meaningful climate action on a global scale.
- We also believe that engagement from the private sector, and other non-state actors who will ultimately need to drive delivery of the outcomes, is a positive thing; and that maintaining momentum is important.
- It is in this spirit that a small but senior SSE delegation is supporting and attending COP29, SSE’s fourth consecutive involvement in a COP.
- In our capacity as the UK’s clean energy champion, with an increasing international renewables pipeline, we are proud to support the new Government’s efforts to re-establish a global leadership position for the UK on climate action.
- And we want to partner and engage with like-minded people and organisations to explore ways we can collaborate to deliver a faster and more equitable clean energy transition.
SSE Representatives at COP29
SSE COP29 events
If you are interested in joining any of the below events, please register your interest by following the link provided for each event. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate all requests. For further information, please contact events@sse.com
SSE, National Grid and Hitachi Energy: Mission Possible? Scaling Grids Investment
Date/Time: Thursday 14 November, 12:00 – 14:15 (Azerbaijan, AZT — Azerbaijan Time)
Format: Roundtable (invite only)
Location: WMBC pavilion, Blue Zone
Link: Register your interest for the scaling grids investment roundtable on MS Forms
SSE, Oxford Smith School, Sustainable Energy for All: Women in Power – A Just Transition in the Global South
Date/Time: Thursday 14 November, 13:00 – 15:00 (Azerbaijan, AZT — Azerbaijan Time)
Format: Panel
Location: Pakistan Pavilion, Blue Zone
Link: Register your interest for the women in power panel on MS Forms
Utilities for Net Zero Alliance, SSE Roundtable
Date/Time: Thursday 14 November, 15:00 – 16:00 (Azerbaijan, AZT — Azerbaijan Time)
Format: Roundtable (invite only)
Location: Global Renewables Alliance
Link: Register your interest for the utilities for net zero roundtable on MS Forms
Utilities for Net Zero Alliance, SSE C-suite dinner
Date/Time: Thursday 14 November, 19:30–late (Azerbaijan, AZT — Azerbaijan Time)
Format: Dinner (invite only)
Location: Upon confirmation of attendance (Baku city centre)
Link: Register your interest for the utilities for net zero dinner on MS Forms
SSE, University of Oxford Smith School, Sustainable Energy for All, Unlocking Renewables Deployment in the Global South
Date/Time: Friday 15 November (Azerbaijan, AZT — Azerbaijan Time)
Format: Panel
Location: Green Zone, Global Alliance of Universities (GUAC pavilion)
Link: Register your interest for unlocking renewables deployment in the global south panel on MS Forms
UK Pavilion Partners Drinks Reception
Date/Time: Friday 15 November, 17:30 (Azerbaijan, AZT — Azerbaijan Time)
Format: Drinks reception (invite only)
Location: Upon confirmation of attendance (Baku city centre)
Link: Register your interest for the UK pavilion partners drinks on MS Forms
Mission-driven energy policy: The role of public-private sector collaboration
Date/Time: Friday 15 November, 11:10–12:10 (Azerbaijan, AZT — Azerbaijan Time)
Format: Roundtable (invite only)
Location: Pavilion, Blue Zone
Link: Register your interest for the mission-driven energy policy roundtable on MS Forms
About us
We are building the electricity infrastructure that will help deliver net zero
Our purpose is to provide the energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in world-class electricity infrastructure that is vital to the clean energy transition.
A FTSE-100 company headquartered in the UK; we have a growing presence in selected international markets A signatory to the race to zero with science-based targets backed by the SBTi. We were one of the first companies in the world to develop a ‘just transition strategy’, aimed at ensuring the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared by workers and communities.
Our commitment to sustainability
The principles of sustainability are embedded into SSE’s strategy with the careful management of environmental and social impact being central to ensuring the long-term success of the company. SSE has aligned its business strategy to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a powerful framework to guide the creation of shared value for shareholders and society.