As Chair of the Energy Efficiency Global Forum’s International Steering Committee, I am looking forward to welcoming many of you to Copenhagen May 21-22. Now in its eleventh year, EE Global is the premier international energy efficiency event, and this year’s agenda will focus on innovation, investment, impact and the role of global policy in both developed and developing countries.  

The International Steering Committee is the governance body for EE Global and consists of the “who’s who” of international energy efficiency across all regions of the world. I have had the privilege of serving on the ISC for many years and attending nearly all EE Global events, including both Paris and Brussels. Our return to Europe couldn’t happen at a better time, as EE Global will be held in conjunction with the ninth Clean Energy Ministerial and Nordic Clean Energy Week.

This year’s EE Global brings together a diverse and distinguished set of international speakers as well as a rapidly growing list of attendees from over 30 countries. We are also updating our format a bit based on attendee input. Our Intensive Learning Sessions now feature two unique styles including the workshop, a shorter, less formal session focused on a single topic or question, and the seminar, a longer, more in-depth learning experience on topics not fully explored in Executive Dialogue Sessions. 

Speaking of Executive Dialogue Sessions, we have 12 planned this year, including one I’ll be moderating on Urban Efficiency: Driving Investment through Smart City Initiatives. Joining me are some of the top smart city leaders for a discussion on how energy efficiency, with its proven business case and performance-based financing models, can provide a platform for greater urban efficiency investment and outcomes. Other sessions will focus on public-private support for EU directives, energy efficiency benefits, plug load potential, transportation, finance, global cooling initiatives and scaling impact through the SEforALL Energy Efficiency Accelerator platform.

We’ll also introduce a new TED Talk-style plenary session called Take 10 that will feature innovative speakers like Bertrand Piccard of Solar Impulse, Bert van Hoof of Microsoft, and Michael Cesarz of Thyssenkrupp on the first day of EE Global, followed by a networking reception, where Lars Christian Lilleholt, the Danish Minister of Energy, Utilities and Climate, will officially kick off Nordic Clean Energy Week.  

Finally, you won’t want to miss the two dynamic fireside chats planned for Tuesday morning’s plenary session. Andrew McAllister, Commissioner of the California Energy Commission and Dominique Ristori, Director General for Energy of the European Commission will discuss their friendly competition leading major economies to succeed in improving energy productivity.  And, Brian Motherway, Head of Energy Efficiency, International Energy Agency will lead a discussion on where energy efficiency fits within the wider consideration of energy transition and climate policy with Christian Zinglerson, Head, Clean Energy Ministerial – a perfect transition to the Ministerial discussions taking place later in the week. Find more details on EE Global, and for updates on the speakers and agenda, on our website.

On behalf of the International Steering Committee, I hope you’ll consider joining us for EE Global 2018 in Copenhagen on May 21-22 for what will certainly be the largest international gathering of clean energy events and experts this year.