At the ongoing Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) 2022, high-level policymakers, practitioners from different industries and the civil society are meeting to share their experiences and ideas on a safe, affordable, and environmentally responsible global energy transition.
The 2-day event happening at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin is an international forum for energy sector stakeholders. It has been held for the past eight years.
Since its inception, BETD has had 2,000 participants from more than 90 countries, 50 foreign and energy ministers and state secretaries, and over 100 high-level speakers have gathered in the German capital to be part of the dialogue.
In connection to a global understanding of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, BETD believes the collaboration of politics, industry, science, and civil society in a new multilateral framework is necessary for a global green transition.
Why is BETD important, and what is the aim?
The world’s commitment to the Global Green Deal requires at its heart, an intentional transformation of the energy systems. BETD has become the prime international conference to brainstorm on the global energy transition. The transition is, more than ever, driven by the knowledge that the years between now and 2030 must become a decade of action worldwide.
The motto Energiewende – From Ambition to Action provides a platform to look jointly at specific measures that will make it possible to reach the agreed climate goals. This year’s dialogue will be held as a hybrid conference with limited access.
The 2022 dialogue agenda will feature a studio session, opening ceremony, and greeting message. Other topics will centre on social energy transition, climate change, peace, security, digital energy, and green hydrogen.
Why is energy transition important for Nigeria?
Nigeria committed to net-zero emissions by 2060 at COP26, and the availability of clean energy sources makes the commitment not so daunting.
However, the question of access remains as Nigeria has continued to struggle to meet the energy demands of its citizens. The event will be an eye-opener – an ideal opportunity for gaining in‑depth knowledge about different aspects of the energy transition and exchanging views and experiences with key experts in the field.
It will also be a forum for the Nigerian delegation to learn about innovative communities comprising business and science, climate-neutral energy supply, an intelligent energy grid, energy-efficient buildings, and a testing platform for future mobility and numerous research projects.
Who are the speakers and attendants?
There are over 2,600 officials – 50 countries’ ministers of energy or climate change, 450 delegations and experts – globally attending the dialogue. Some of the keynote addresses and speaking engagements include Annalena Baerbock (Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Germany), Robert Habeck (Federal Minister for Economic Affairs & Climate Action, Germany), Antonio Guterres ( Secretary-General, United Nations), David Turk( Deputy Secretary of Energy, USA), and Damilola Ogunbiyi (CEO & Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Abubakar D. Aliyu, and Minister of State Environment, Sharon Ikeazor are part of the speakers’ schedule, among others.
Dataphyte will be providing live updates of the BETD on our channels.
Samuel Ajala is a data journalist and research intern with Dataphyte.
He has an interest in covering SDGs - education, climate change, energy transition, and gender equality.
You can follow him on Twitter; @ajalasamuelakin