Jennifer M. Granholm Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy | Official Website
Mission Innovation countries convened today at the UN climate change conference, COP22, in Marrakesh to discuss progress one year after its inception. Finland and the Netherlands were introduced as the latest members of this global initiative aimed at doubling clean energy research and development (R&D). Several innovation challenges were also launched to advance energy technologies that will facilitate the clean energy transition.
With Finland and the Netherlands joining, Mission Innovation now includes 23 member countries, including the European Union. These governments represent over 80 percent of global clean energy investment and have committed to doubling their clean energy R&D funding within five years to approximately $30 billion annually by 2021. This increased funding aims to reduce costs in clean energy, create jobs, and develop breakthrough technologies to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius.
“Mission Innovation participants are signaling their understanding that our global energy economy is going to be a low-carbon energy economy,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “Commitment to Mission Innovation means that these countries want to create jobs for their people, and also build more low-cost, broadly deployable clean energy options.”
Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete welcomed Finland and The Netherlands into the initiative. He stated, "Through its partnership, Mission Innovation represents an unprecedented acceleration of research and development of clean energy technologies, which will bring sustainable energy to people all over the world."
One year since its launch, Mission Innovation members have laid the groundwork for accelerating clean energy innovation by securing increased funding for country-led R&D efforts.
To further drive technological advancements and cost reductions, seven new Innovation Challenges were announced:
- Smart Grids Innovation Challenge
- Off-Grid Access to Electricity Innovation Challenge
- Carbon Capture Innovation Challenge
- Sustainable Biofuels Innovation Challenge
- Converting Sunlight Innovation Challenge (to create storable solar fuels)
- Clean Energy Materials Innovation Challenge
- Affordable Heating and Cooling of Buildings Innovation Challenge
These challenges aim to engage the global research community, industry, and investors while fostering new collaborations among Mission Innovation members.
“Mission Innovation is one of the primary vehicles for driving forward clean energy innovation on a truly global scale,” said Nick Hurd, U.K. Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry. “Individually we can achieve a lot; together we can go faster and further.”
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources James Carr emphasized collaboration: “Collaboration is essential to advancing our global response to climate change... Canada will continue to invest in clean energy research...and work with international partners.”
About Mission Innovation:
Mission Statement: To accelerate the pace of clean energy innovation for performance breakthroughs and cost reductions providing widely affordable reliable solutions revolutionizing global energy systems over two decades.
The Governments of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark France Germany India Indonesia Italy Japan Republic Korea Mexico Norway Saudi Arabia Sweden UAE UK US announced MI on November 30th 2015 supporting economic growth access security urgent lasting climate response EU Commission Netherlands Finland joined since launch.
Collectively MI members cover over 80% public funding RD&D pledging double investments from USD 15 billion annually USD 30 billion by 2020/21.
More information available at www.mission-innovation.net.
