To amplify the climate action that is being undertaken in 2020 and build momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy ahead of COP26, the High-Level Champions for Global Climate Action are convening the Race to Zero Dialogues, in close collaboration with the Marrakech Partnership, as part of the ‘Race to Zero’ campaign. The Dialogues will take place virtually on 9-19 November. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone; these Dialogues will chart how entire sectors are already rapidly transitioning to a zero-carbon future, as defined in the Climate Action Pathways, and facilitate further progress in low carbon transformation of key sectors. The Race to Zero Dialogues will serve as critical input to the UNFCCC Climate Dialogues from 23 Nov – Dec 4, which are advancing work governing the rules of the Paris Agreement. Together, both Dialogues will set the stage for the Anniversary of the Paris Agreement on 12 December as the world embarks on the ‘Race to Zero’ towards COP26 in 2021.

Each day of the Dialogues is dedicated to a separate theme, including human settlements; industry; land use; oceans and coastal zones; transport; water; finance; energy; and resilience. IRENA is leading the Energy Dialogue, taking place on 16 November. The Energy Dialogue will include two sessions organised by IRENA, namely on the role of clean energy in COVID recovery and green hydrogen, and two sessions organised by others, namely Climate Action 100+ on the Net Zero Sector Strategies for the Power and Oil & Gas Sectors and RE100 on the market-driven renewable electricity transition.

The Race to Zero Dialogue on Energy will convene leaders from the energy transition, including policy-makers, transformational business leaders, energy sector leaders, investors, and civil society. The speakers will showcase energy transition solutions and how they can be scaled up and replicated to meet global climate goals.