Hosted by the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee in partnership with UNIDO and in collaboration with the Government of Japan and the CTCN
Technology Day on Transformative Industry
Driving industrial transformation through NDCs
Part 1: COP 29, Baku, Azerbaijan
Background:
Initially organized by the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee (TEC) in 2020 and 2021 on adaptation technologies, this year the Technology Day event series returns to the scene with a focus on supporting the integration of hard-to-abate industries in the process of preparing and implementing NDCs. Organized by the TEC in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the first part of Technology Day on Transformative Industry will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan during COP 29. The second part of Technology Day on Transformative Industry is planned for 2025 to continue supporting countries with their NDC planning and implementation as regards the steel, cement, and chemical and petrochemical industries.
The industrial sector holds a tremendous potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as it is directly and indirectly responsible for about 34 per cent of global GHG emissions. Notably, the three primary sectors steel, cement and chemicals & petrochemicals, collectively referred to as hard-to-abate industries, are pivotal in this context as they are responsible for nearly 60 per cent of total industrial energy consumption and contribute to around 70 per cent of the sector’s emissions.
Objectives:
The objectives of the Technology Day on Transformative Industry are to inform countries on technology and policy options for hard-to-abate industries as they develop and implement their NDCs by:
- • Sharing technology options and showcasing innovation: Provide a platform for industry leaders, technology providers, experts, innovators, investors, and policymakers to share technology options, including on green hydrogen and CCS, and demonstrate innovative policies, regulations, and other approaches for the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries;
- • Discussing policy options: Facilitate discussions on policy options for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries;
- • Fostering partnerships: Explore ways for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries through multi-stakeholder, industry, bilateral, and multilateral partnerships, and collaboration.
The first part of Technology Day on Transformative Industries in 2024 will focus on the steel and cement industries, with a second part planned for 2025 to focus on the chemical and petrochemical industries.
Session 1: Technology and policy options for decarbonizing the steel and cement industries
18 November 2024 | 15:00-16:30| Baku, Azerbaijan
Venue: Special Event Room Buta
15:00-15:15 | High-level opening
Opening remarks:
• Mr. Daniele Violetti, Senior Director, Programmes Coordination, UNFCCC
Keynote speeches:
• H.E. Mr. Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Germany
• H.E. Ms. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honorable Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources, Bangladesh
15:15-16:30 | Decarbonizing steel and cement industries
15:15-15:25 | Scene setting presentation: Technology options and innovative approaches for decarbonizing the steel and cement industries
• H.E. Ambassador Mary Warlick, Deputy Executive Director, International Energy Agency
15:25-15:35 | Publication launch: UNFCCC TEC policy brief on integrating hard-to-abate industries in the process of preparing and implementing NDCs
• Mr. Dietram Oppelt, Vice-Chair, UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee
15:35-16:10 | Panel discussion: Reducing emission from steel and cement production: Policy and technology options- What works, what does not?
• Ms. Asa Ekdahl, Head, Environment and Climate Change, World Steel Association
• Mr. Thomas Guillot, CEO, Global Cement and Concrete Association
• Mr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, UNFCCC national designated entity for technology development and transfer of Thailand
• Mr. Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Senior Fellow, Council on Energy, Environment and Water
• Ms. Orly Jacob, UNFCCC national designated entity for technology development and transfer of Canada
16:10–16:25 | Discussion with the audience
16:25–16:30 | Closing remarks
• Ms. Rana Ghoeneim, Chief, Energy and Climate Action Division, UNIDO
Session 2: Partnerships and collaboration for decarbonizing the steel and cement industries
20 November 2024 | 13:00-14:15 | Baku, Azerbaijan
Venue: COP 29 Japan Pavilion
13:00–13:05 | Opening remarks
• Mr. Takahiro Tajiri, Deputy Director-General for Green Transformation Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan
13:05–13:15 | Scene-setting Presentation: Partnerships and collaboration for decarbonizing the steel and cement industries
• Mr. Hugo Salamanca, Industry Decarbonization Expert, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
13:15–13:55 | Panel discussion: From Ambition to Action: Supporting countries in integrating steel and cement industries policy and technology options in the process of preparing and implementing NDCs.
• Ms. Ruth Zugman do Cuotto, Deputy Director, Climate Change Division, UNEP
• Mr. Romeo Bertolini, Director of Operations, NDC Partnership Support Unit
• Mr. Kan Shikama, Deputy Director for Industry Green Transformation, METI, Japan
• Mr. El Hadji Diob, UNFCCC national designated entity for technology development and transfer of Senegal
• Mr. Hiroyuki Tezuka, Fellow, JFE Steel Corporation/Japan Iron and Steel Foundation
13:55–14:10 | Discussion with the audience
14:10–14:15 | Closing remarks
• Mr. Thibyan Ibrahim, Chair, UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee
