The U.S. Department of Energy announced the 2022 Global Clean Energy Action Forum, planned for Sept. 21-23 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The forum is presented in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and will bring together "energy leaders from around the world to turn clean energy ambition into action and accelerate the transition toward a more secure energy future," according to a June 13 DOE news release.
"By convening the Global Clean Energy Action Forum, the United States is continuing its leadership on the world stage to foster greater international cooperation to achieve our shared climate ambitions, drive innovation and accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions, while creating millions of good paying jobs," Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said in the news release. "We are proud to bring our international partners to the Steel City — a wonderful example of how communities can pivot from traditional industries to become clean energy innovation hubs. The convening in Pittsburgh will leverage collective action in the public and private sectors to tackle the climate crisis and catalyze a global clean energy workforce."
The forum will feature "the regular convening" of the 31 nations from Clean Energy Ministerial for CEM13 and Mission Innovation for MI-7 with "a broad presence of clean energy businesses, innovators and civil society," the news release reported. The U.S. last hosted the forum in 2016 in San Francisco. Next year's forum will be in India, which also will host the 2023 G20 Leaders Summit.
The university "is thrilled" to work with DOE to host a forum in Pittsburgh, "a region that has radically changed the trajectory of its energy future over the past generation," CMU President Farnam Jahanian said in the news release.
"CMU's mission to impact society through technology, education and innovation is a perfect match with the forum’s goal to take decisive action to recast the future," Jahanian said in the release. "Our entire region looks forward to demonstrating to the global community how we are partnering to ensure our successful transition to clean energy."
Pittsburgh was once called the "steel capital of the world," and steel still is made there, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in the news release, adding the county "is today part of a global innovation ecosystem where people are making the future with technology."
"By hosting the GCEAF, the international community will have the opportunity to see the region's leadership in the development and deployment of critical climate and energy technologies that can change the world," Fitzgerald said, according to the release.
Pittsburgh is also "a national leader in showing how economies can be transformed by technology, science, education and healthcare," Mayor Ed Gainey said in the news release.
"It is our honor to host the 2022 Global Clean Energy Action Forum, and showcase our tech ecosystem, our green buildings and the people who have made this transition possible," Gainey said, according to the release. "If we are going to have a just transition to a clean energy future we must find ways to work together to ensure that as our energy and economies transition nobody is left behind."
The forum is "an unprecedented opportunity" to show the world what the Pittsburgh region has to offer, Allegheny Conference CEO Stefani Pashman said in the news release.
"When there are problems to solve, the world has often looked to Pittsburgh," Pashman said in the release. "Energy transition is no exception. A unique combination of assets and a spirit of collaboration position the Pittsburgh region to lead in the development of low carbon energy production including clean hydrogen, grid improvements and other ways to use energy more efficiently."
The forum will be in person with some options for attendees to participate virtually, the release reported. Virtual attendance opportunities and registration is expected to be offered closer to the event date.
