Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement, and are key to achieving the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. Innovative technologies and business models are needed by DMCs to facilitate and expedite transitions, and infrastructure investment must be “future-proofed” to account for rapid technological evolution and climate change. This track will provide a forum for exchanging country experiences with the implementation of NDCs; discussing technical issues and political processes related to NDCs; identifying NDC-related challenges that are arising in countries across the region; and discussing lessons learned and possible solutions for timely submission of NDCs.
Session 1.1: Overview of NDC Implementation in Context of Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific
This section will review the implementation of NDCs in the Asia-Pacific region over the past 5 years, and will identify gaps between targets and implementation to date. By sharing information among countries on the implementation of NDCs, countries will learn from each other about possible ways and means to incorporate energy development into the next round of NDC processes. The session will also include discussions about how to scientifically and reasonably set NDC goals for the NDC update in 2020.
Potential topics in this session could include:
- Implementation status of NDC in the context of climate change and an update on NDCs in Asia and the Pacific
- NDC-related progress and country perspectives on NDC goals (country level)
- NDC related progress and city perspectives on NDC goals (city level or ecosystem/river level)
- How to update and Implement NDC Targets in 2020
Session 1.2: Rural Clean Energy: A Crucial Solution for NDCs
Rural areas cannot be a neglected part in the development of NDC targets for Asia and the Pacific countries. The development of rural clean energy is crucial to the realization of countries’ NDC goals. This session will feature successful cases of rural clean energy initiatives, and discuss challenges in their development. The discussions will cover clean heating, gas distribution, refrigeration, rural power grids and other technologies. This session will provide reference experience for the rural energy development of DMCs and meanwhile call for attention to rural development in NDC. We welcome submissions on topics that support ADB’s Operational Priority to address poverty and reduce inequalities.
Potential topics in this session could include:
- Innovative micro- and mini grids with renewables in remote areas, as a strategy to reduce emissions from conventional diesel mini-grids[Philippine, Indonesia, etc.]
- Community-based (and community-owned) energy systems and business models
- Analysis of the socio-economic impacts of rural energy
- Rural clean heating, gas distribution, and other applications and end uses and applications
Session 1.3: Technology Roadmaps for Key Technologies: Approaches and Findings
The revisions of NDCs in 2020 are an opportunity to put countries on a climate-compatible pathway, via appropriate target-setting for effective clean energy technologies. The main contributors for drastic emissions reductions for a global energy transformation are i) renewable energy, ii) energy efficiency measures and iii) increased electrification of end-uses such as heating and transport. These are also essential technologies for ADB projects under the 7 Operational Priorities in ADB’s Strategy 2030.
This session will include discussion of the technology developments in renewables and energy efficiency, electrification, and other sectors, and approaches for setting more ambitious target in energy roadmaps with regulatory changes needed for the NDCs. Speakers will include international practitioners, ADB professionals, and officials from ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs).
Potential topics in this session could include:
- Challenges and solutions for higher penetration of renewable energy into existing power grids (focused on government agencies and grid companies in ADB’s DMCs)
- Synergies between the power sector and electrification of other sectors, such as heat and transport. (e.g., EV100 members, developers of EV charging infrastructure, and utilities and government agencies in ADB’s DMCs]
- Application of innovative digital technology to overcome the challenges in ambitious energy roadmaps
- Energy efficiency in the demand-side, especially the building sector (targeting executing agencies in ADB’s DMCs)
- sub-regional energy roadmap in Asia and the Pacific
- Energy roadmap in a country or city
- Strategies for optimizing energy systems
Session 1.4: Technology Roadmaps for Key Technologies: Deep Dives at the Country and Regional Level
Presentations in this session will provide in-depth analyses of specific new technologies, describe their role in a national or regional context, and demonstrate how they contribute to achievement of NDC goals. Decision-makers will gain an appreciation of the importance of energy roadmaps in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and their role in meeting ambitious NDC targets. We welcome submissions with a regional focus that support ADB’s Operational Priority to foster regional cooperation and integration (RCI).
Potential topics in this session could include:
- Hydrogen potential, global roadmaps, and strategies for deployment
- Heating and cooking
- The digital transition, transmission and distribution technologies
- Solar energy for energy access and climate change