1. The speaker found COP26 came at an important time as climate warnings become more severe, but the formal negotiations fell short of meeting the Paris Agreement goals. 2. Some positive developments happened outside the formal negotiations, like pledges from businesses and new initiatives between countries. John Kerry and China also announced a new declaration with substantive actions. 3. The energy transition has been ongoing for 10 years but drivers are now more focused on climate change. Opportunities exist but there are also challenges to scaling up investment and implementation globally and making energy systems free of concerns.

1. Draft opening statement- Adriaan Kamp, Founder
EFOW (december conference)
Q: So- what did you make-up of COP26?
A: COP26 came at an important moment of time. 5 (or actually) 6 years after Paris Agreement,
and also - in a time- when the science on climate warnings becomes ever more stern. In
preparation to this COP- experts concluded that , and based on all the NDCs collated, that the
world was still to see an emission rise of +19% till 2030, whereas the need for safe climate (<1.5
Degrees) would be a need of a 45% emission reduction by 2030.
Not so good.
Now- in that setting, COP took place under the shared Presidency of UK and Italy.
COP is a big machine and big global event, and you cannot speak of 1 COP- but actually 4 or 5
COPs in Parallel.
1. The formal negotiations between the Parties , ministers, countries
2. Show with High-Level Speeches and Pledges to raise ambition and collectively
make it to work. I strongly recommend you to watch the opening speeches by
Boris Johnson, David Attenborough- and in the second week: the speech by
President Obama.
3. Business and Banking Community Side Events: Net zero initiatives,
breakthroughs, announcements by co-alitions of the willing
4. Mainstreet, social media, NGOs etc
And in this case- also a surprise intervention and joint declaration by John Kerry and Mr Xie of
China (collaboration).
As I framed this: This is it!
I recommend you to read that declaration, as it contains much more substance and direction of
action, than the formal COP agreements between all countries.
As such- this has been the second time that John Kerry saved COP in its existence. For let us
admit, with former President Trump in the White House- the Paris Agreement was near dead.
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2. Outcome of the formal negotiations are underwhelming, and some important parts of the
negotiations have been deferred till 2022 (Egypt). And during the stock-takings and
interventions at the second week- we could hear quite some divisions in thoughts on how to
achieve the 1.5 Degrees and what it takes to get there: between developed- developing (china +
G77/G130)
But true “New Coptimism” - and of can do- could be seen, witnessed and felt by points 2, 3 (e.g
130 trillion, UK-India New Grid initiative, trees, etc)
As a joke, and a little earlier this week, i mentioned
What would we do to organize a better COP27 in Egypt and on Energy Transition? Between
Business and Governments?
(with the right large energy corporations, responsible leadership and 5 Big energy countries at
the table)
Surely more than wording such as: phase-down coal and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
John Kerry and Mr Xie seem to understand- that the first and most important step in mitigation
now, is to step-up and realize a new power grid structure in this world, and that can harness
renewable erergies - as no other.
● Electrify. Electrify. Electrify. (Build Regional Connected Grids - and that will allow for this).
UK-India New Grid initiative (initiated by Boris Johnson Gov) could be here a good
example. But let us not forget the powers and abilities of China Stategrid. Hopdefully,
Bidens Build Back Better plan will also allow for this, back in US and abroad.
● Build the capacities and capabilities , value chains for the new (solar, wind, storage, ev
cars), including the mining queries. China and US are turning here into a race and
competition.
● Unlock the 130 bn USD bankers finance- here and there. Public and Private, and see to
more rapidly frame and de-risk investment programs in “messy”countries. Present
examples US/UK- South Africa Eskom project from Coal to Renewables,
● Know-how to transit from the present to the new. (from coal, oil, gas to new energy
architectures)
●
And the second big challenge is:
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3. We do not only have to do this at home, but we also need to realize this in the emerging, rapid
developing nations of this world. And best also in the 2020s-2030s.
And you know, these countries, at times quite “messy”, have Growth, GDP , Jobs Jobs Jobs,
Covid Recovery and a whole lot of other things on their administration agenda. Climate Change
not their first priority- if it does not hurt their economies, or bring in new cash.,
As such, President Biden Build Back Better campaign, his willingness to take-up leadership role
on Climate (with XiJinPing)- and to extend this to the world- we should applaud, caress and
support this- at the best we can.
This is Hope.
(but we all know- how fragile the political sentiments are in the US, as you may understand- how
fragile the international relationships)
2. I understand that you are now working 10 years in the Energy Transition industry. What do
you find of the present state of affairs? Where do you see the opportunities?
Thank you,
Well first of all, indeed, and ever since Al Gores Inconvenient Truth, this Energy Transition
where we are now in, started just after the financial crisis. In 2008-2009. I was there.
It was also the time, when in Germany the Energy Wende (Solar revolution) set-in, and Herman
Scheer was advocating for Energy Autonomy vs. the Prize. (OIl and Gas Power). A change of
worldview over energy. From owned and profited from- towards more a utility, human right and
all-over
Now- many people have a different understanding of the term Energy Transition, and give a
different meaning to it.
In the drivers for change, in the hard-factors (the technical stuff) and the soft-factors (business
models, worldview) of change.
Or just in the simple fact that energy becomes available, affordable and reliable.
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4. As you know- this is not everywhere the case, and even in Europe now- we see some pricing
and perhaps availability troubles
To name you a few.
Climate change (CO2) emissions has taken the pole position, today, in the driver for change.
BUt let us not forget that the original Energywende in Germany was not because of Emissions-
it was about worldview and about technology/ becoming available.
Add to this: our present concerns with our Planetary Boundaries (biodiversity, plastic in the
oceans,pollutions, etc)
So- this mix of drivers- situational context, business opportunity, technology, worldview, crisis- is
driving the transition right now.
It is best not one-dimensional: we are not only to fight emissions- there are a lot of things which
we can improve in our present energy system- if our dream is and we wish to retain to make
Energy Free of Concerns- Here and there, now and tomorrow.. For you and for me.
President XiJinPing of China has understood these sentiments- and is now advocating for a
Global Development Initiative- where the road blockages for investment in green economy/
sustainable development in “messy” countries get actually named, and are being addressed.
At times I say: you cannot build the new, if you do not know how to heal the present, and know
how to serve People and Planet.
Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti
And you know: we better change, and grasp the opportunities ahead of us- and start working on
the ideal.
If I look at the performance of our incumbent industry and governments here in the West or
USA- we may boost and organize ourselves a little better:- between government, business and
bankers- for at times: it is just tragic: at home and surely in our trade and trade relations- as this
will not do, or be good for our children.
In the European market there is clear lack of holistic program management, technical skills,
capabilities and capacities- and it will be good to look at that, and make it to work.
China seems to build the capacities and capabilities to scale- and that can make China a new
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5. superpower in Clean Energy. (EVs, StateGrids, Solar, Wind, etc). At home, and abroad.
Overall- and remember- we are presently investing (and thus) building 500 bn USD/ annum on
new stuff. OUr climate scientists tell us that we are to invest 2-3 trillion USD of new
stuff./annum- if we aspire to meet any climate goal (1.5-2 degrees).
Today- it is about scaling-up; Our toolbox is full to the brim! Lets go!
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