Scaling up the production and deployment of low-emissions hydrogen and its derivatives is imperative in accelerating the global clean energy transition to limit temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels while meeting the SDG7 goal to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. At COP29, UNIDO will bring to the limelight the many initiatives it is working on through its Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry to attain these aims and promote economic opportunities while facilitating just and equitable transitions.
14 November 2024
Thursday, Thematic day on Finance, Investment and Trade
Partner
This side-event will bring together delegates from the public and private sectors of developed and developing countries to discuss the emerging international value chains and trade links for materials such as low-carbon iron as well as hydrogen, hydrogen carriers and low-carbon fuels and how developing countries can benefit. The panel will explore how countries in the Global South with high potential for renewable energy as well as mineral resources can play a pivotal role in producing these clean fuels and materials and generate added value before export. Developed countries stand to benefit by accelerating their decarbonisation.
The discussion will focus on identifying and addressing the obstacles to this, including the lack of global standards and definitions, regulatory barriers, and financing challenges. By fostering collaboration and sharing insights, the session aims to strengthen the foundation for a sustainable global hydrogen economy, exploring pathways for inclusive economic growth while supporting the global shift toward net-zero emissions. Additionally, the panel will examine strategies to mitigate investment risks, such as establishing clear regulatory frameworks and enhancing investor confidence through transparent and stable enabling policies.
Industry Solutions for People and Planet Hub | UNIDO (A7, Blue Zone)
This side event will explore the critical role of low-emission hydrogen in transforming the transportation sector, addressing key challenges, innovations, and progress in its application. The event will highlight progress in low-emission hydrogen technologies, discuss the role of partnerships between governments and the private sector, and showcase pioneering efforts in low-emission hydrogen vehicles by global automotive leaders. The discussion will emphasize the role of low-emission hydrogen in meeting international climate targets and achieving sustainability in transportation, while promoting collaboration across regions and industries.
Supporting Organizations:
- International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA)
- International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC)
Industry Solutions for People and Planet Hub | UNIDO (A7, Blue Zone)
In alignment with the COP29 Presidency, UNIDO and its partners recognize the need to bolster climate ambitions whilst enabling governments to implement their commitments, for example through large-scale hydrogen projects. To establish the sustainability of such projects, the side event explores guidelines that help governments transparently prioritize proposals that satisfy national SDG goals by accelerating a just energy transition. The initiative is backed by a broad coalition of UN and non-UN stakeholders and co-organizers: UNCTAD, UNEP, UNECE, IRENA, AfDB, IDOS, as well as consulting governments. In accordance, the side event will outline key considerations and criteria for sustainable hydrogen projects.
Supporting Organizations: UNCTAD, UNEP, UNECE, IRENA, AfDB, IDOS, ILO
Side-event room 8, Blue Zone
15 November 2024
Friday, Thematic day on Energy/Peace, Relief and Recovery
This Ministerial event, organized by the COP29 Presidency of Azerbaijan in partnership with UNIDO, UNECE, UN ESCAP, IEA, IRENA and other key international stakeholders, aims to launch the COP29 energy initiatives, namely the COP29 Green Energy Pledge: Green Energy Zones and Corridors, the COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, and the COP29 Hydrogen Declaration.
In the coming weeks, our main goal is to ensure the mobilization of support and endorsements by governments, private sector, financial institutions, philanthropies, and other stakeholders.
Mugham Special Event Room, Blue Zone
This event is serious yet celebratory in nature. With the help of our long-term partners and collaborators, we look back and reflect on the work that has been achieved by the Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry thus far in contribution to tackling some of its challenges. Without losing sight of the work that is still required to resolve the many bottlenecks of a global hydrogen industry, we also look forward and anticipate the big new milestones of our work as planned for 2025.
Industry Solutions for People and Planet Hub | UNIDO (A7, Blue Zone)
16 November 2024
Saturday, Thematic day on Science, Technology and Innovation / Digitalization
This event seeks to provide an energizing morning conversation over coffee about the role of women holding solid track experience in hydrogen and connect insights across topics such as education, skills development, cultural dynamics, and policy incentives to promote gender equity in hydrogen and supporting women's empowerment. Ideas on what new resource (studies/surveys/training activities/knowledge products) would be useful to foster inclusiveness in the hydrogen sector will be collected as inputs from the audience.
Industry Solutions for People and Planet Hub | UNIDO (A7, Blue Zone)
To foster the hydrogen market ramp-up, a forward-looking and rapid development of a transport and storage infrastructure is essential to connect production and demand. Both, production and demand side, need clarity regarding infrastructure developments to make informed investment decisions. In a market that is still in its infancy, the development of this infrastructure requires immense investments. There is a need therefore for innovative financing mechanisms, risk-sharing arrangements, and strong policy support. This side event explores the shapes and forms which these innovating mechanisms could look like.
Industry Solutions for People and Planet Hub | UNIDO (A7, Blue Zone)
This event will present a new, comprehensive market assessment focused on innovation in clean hydrogen in developing countries. Commissioned by UNIDO’s Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility, the large-scale market assessment analyzed key markets, technologies, initiatives and projects, enhancing the global evidence base in these areas. The assessment will be launched and published in the event.
Industry Solutions for People and Planet Hub | UNIDO (A7, Blue Zone)