Join us to tackle the big questions in climate finance at Innovate4Climate

How do we move away from coal without leaving communities behind? This key issue will be explored in two sessions co-hosted by the World Bank, the CIF and the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA).

Phasing Out Coal and Phasing in New Economic Opportunities: Repurposing Innovations.

26 May, 10:30 EDT

Moderator: Christopher Evans, Powering Past Coal Alliance

Speakers:

• Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director for the Energy and Extractives Global Practice, World Bank
• Dr Wolfhart Pohl, Lead Environmental Specialist, World Bank’s Environment Global Practice
• Kate Chisholm, SVP Planning, Stakeholder Relations and Chief Sustainability, Capital Power
• Jan Bondaruk, Deputy Director for Environmental Engineering, GiG Research Institute, Poland
• Mike Ward, Senior Evaluation Specialist, Climate Investment Funds

Watch the replay here

A discussion on the challenges of transforming brownfields and related infrastructure to spur economic transformation of coal regions, Part 1 will present a catalogue of the present stumbling blocks to responsibly close and transform coal mining lands, coal power plants, and their related assets; share new methodologies and approaches to reach stakeholder agreement on future land uses.

The CIF will present its findings from a case study that was developed as part of the Just Transition Initiative, a partnership project between CIF and the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Energy Security & Climate Change Program. It analyzes the experience of the transition in South Africa, and offers insights that can inform the planning, financing and implementation of Just Transitions elsewhere in the world.

Financing the coal transition

26 May, 11.30 EDT

Moderator: Dr. Matt Webb, COP26 Energy Transition Campaign & International Coal Transitions

Speakers:

• John Morton, Climate Counselor, US Treasury
• Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks, IEA
• Aida Sitdikova, Director Energy, Eurasia, Sustainable Infrastructure Group, EBRD
• Mandy Rambharos, General Manager, ESKOM
• Mafalda Duarte, Head of the Climate Investment Funds

Watch the replay here

The CIF is designing the world’s first dedicated coal transition investment program for developing countries that offers a holistic approach to target key barriers involving governance, people, and infrastructure. This workshop will set the context for a coal-to-clean transition, share potential approaches currently under consideration and highlight key elements of CIF’s Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Program.

Other topics of discussion will include:

• Context and rationale for a coal-to-clean transition
• The importance of a Just Transition and how to avoid coal-reliant communities being left behind when coal-producing plants close.
• How concessional financing can accelerate the coal transition.
• The role of Multilateral Development Banks in supporting a sustainable transition to renewable energy.
• Different approaches that can be taken to move beyond coal.