The world’s leading energy conference, CeraWeek will be held virtually this week bringing together the leading energy executives, ministers and policymakers to debate on the sector’s ongoing green transition.
The event featuring high-profile speakers including former US secretary of state and US President Joe Biden’s climate chief John Kerry, newly confirmed US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm and Opec secretary-general Mohammed Barkindo, will be held under the theme, ‘The New Map: Energy, Climate, and Charting the Future’.
The event is named after the latest book by Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of CeraWeek organizer IHS Markit. The renowned energy historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Prize, published The New Map last year.
Both the book and the coming event concentrates on the new challenges posed by transitioning global economies. The energy industry is at the brim of a structural change that is forced by a warming planet and growing investor and activist concerns over industry excesses.
The demand crisis driven by the pandemic and a review of oil and gas asset values has forced several oil companies to reassess the future of their businesses. Technologies like artificial intelligence and an increase in the adoption of renewables such as wind, solar and hydrogen play a key role in the evolving energy industry.
The annual energy conference will feature Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC group chief executive, and Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser.
Among the world leaders who will be part of the five-day event, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez, billionaire and healthcare philanthropist Bill Gates, the head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Yasir Al Rumayyan and US national climate adviser Gina McCarthy, BP chief executive Bernard Looney, Norwegian Minister for Petroleum and Energy Tina Bru are the prominent names.
The 2021 edition of CeraWeek will look at new actors in the energy industry and the role of the investment community in enforcing greater environmental, social and governance standards.
The event will also offer insights into the plans of the Biden administration, which paused drilling on federal lands and plans to lead in about $2 trillion in investment into the clean energy sector.
