Background

Under the auspices of the Secretary-General, the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET) will constitute a global, high-level body of engineers and energy systems experts to contribute to the UN Secretary-General’s goal to build a coalition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and to the UN generally on engineering pathways to achieve comprehensive decarbonization by mid-century. The work of the CEET will be undertaken by independent and impartial, as well as recognized global experts serving in their personal capacity and responding to requests for information by the UN System.

Council’s Mandate 

The Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET) will be an independent advisory body to the UN Secretary-General and it will contribute to his call to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals during the Decade of Action by providing scientific and technical advice on roadmaps to decarbonization by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and the findings of the IPCC 1.5-Degree Report. Such roadmaps will be gender sensitive taking into consideration that societal and cultural roles determine that women and men have different needs and priorities with regards to energy, and that women in their multiple roles as consumers, producers, and researchers are key agents to facilitate energy transitions. 

World-class engineers will be drawn from a balanced mix of diverse sectors (power, industry, transport, buildings, chemicals), stakeholders (academia, business, and international organizations), and geographic regions, while aiming for a gender and cultural balanced representation and diversity.

Scope of Work 

The CEET will report on pathways to zero-carbon energy systems and engage the global engineering community on key priorities for the energy transition. CEET core activities will focus on:

• Solving the challenges of scaling key technologies in support of the global energy transition;
• Recommending guidelines to support Nationally Determined Contributions in line with the Paris Agreement;
• Publishing technical briefs on zero-carbon technologies, including breakthrough technologies;
• Analyzing sectoral and integrated pathways at regional and local levels;
• Providing guidance and technical advice from a globally diverse expert perspective, ensuring a gender responsive energy transition and decarbonization.

Modality of Work 

The CEET, as an independent advisory council to the UN Secretary-General, will be led and co-chaired by the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), building on an existing partnership between the SDSN and Enel Foundation (EF) to engage important partners from the United Nations (UN), academia, and business realms to support the decarbonization of energy systems in line with the Paris Agreement goals. At the invitation of the Co-Chairs, the CEET will meet three to four times per year, for example, in the margins of the annual UNFCCC COP, the UN General Assembly Opening Debate, alongside the UNFCCC Regional Climate Weeks, and during the Summer High-Level Political Forum. 

The CEET Steering Committee will hold quarterly roundtable virtual calls to support this work and define the annual work plan. 

Intermediate scientific collaboration, exchange, and dissemination will be guaranteed by the following activities:

• Dissemination: workshops / seminars / high level training
• Participation to strategic international events
• Organization of dedicated events at regional level aimed to stakeholders’ engagement

The terms of service will be for two years in length, with possibility to extend, starting in May 2022. The confirmed members will be expected to participate in virtual monthly meetings with working groups as assigned, and to be available for a minimum of 5 hours/month to participate in CEET activities and potentially more when writing is underway. The confirmed members will also be expected to participate in their personal capacities without remuneration, however any necessary travel or meeting expenses may be covered. Proficiency in the English language is required for participation in the CEET.

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