Milou Dirkx is Lead Network & Media Programmes at Clean Energy Wire.
Stay updated on online journalism and energy events
LAST UPDATE 24/06
[Updated with webinars from C2ES, IEA, WRI, Aurora Energy Research, UNEP FI]
| 30/06, 15.00 CEST | Webinar - Second-Life Batteries: from E-Mobility to a More Affordable and Resilient Energy Future Organiser: World Resources Institute (WRI) Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating globally and with it, a new wave of opportunity. EV batteries are typically replaced once they lose 20–30% of their original capacity, but at that point they still retain productive potential. Instead of becoming waste, these batteries can be repurposed for a “second life” in less demanding applications, including microgrids powering communities, charging infrastructure, electric two- and three-wheelers and grid support services. The scale of this opportunity is rapidly approaching. The volume of retired EV batteries is projected to exceed 300 GWh by 2030, with at least half originating from China alone. An estimated 40–70% of these batteries could be suitable for second-life applications, representing a vast reserve of energy storage capacity ready to be deployed. If effectively harnessed, second-life batteries could improve energy access, lower system costs, support grid resilience, and accelerate the clean energy transition. However, the pathway forward is far from straightforward. While early projects demonstrate technical feasibility, scaling second-life solutions raises complex questions around performance standards, safety, economic viability, ownership models, and end-of-life responsibility. Market forces alone are unlikely to deliver optimal outcomes at the pace required. Without clear frameworks, the sector risks fragmentation, underinvestment, or unintended environmental and social impacts. This webinar will explore how stakeholders across government, industry and civil society can work together to unlock the full value of second-life batteries while managing risks. It will highlight priority areas where greater clarity, coordination, and ambition are urgently needed and begin to outline what a credible, forward-looking game plan could look like. You can find more information here and register via this link. |
| 30/06, 17.00 CEST | Webinar - From Recognition to Readiness: Building Corporate Climate Resilience at Scale Organiser: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) From value chain disruptions and operational downtime to stranded infrastructure and over-heated employees, most companies know that physical climate risks are increasing. However, fewer know how to act on them or why resilience efforts stall. In this webinar, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and Systemiq share findings from our new report, Climate Resilience as Strategy: Scaling Corporate Action on Physical Risks from Climate Change. In the report, we move beyond the now-familiar finding that most companies are underprepared to address physical climate risks and instead pinpoint exactly where companies face the largest barriers—and what it would take to help overcome them. Drawing on interviews and roundtables with more than 40 companies, as well as an analysis of 30 leading frameworks, standards, and tools, C2ES and Systemiq propose four concrete recommendations for what is needed to drive corporate climate resilience at scale. Join us on June 30 at 11:00am ET to hear key findings and recommendations from the report, gain insights from the companies leading the way on climate resilience, and explore what the path forward looks like for companies ready to move from recognition to readiness. You can find more information here and register via this link. |
| 07/07, 14.00 CEST | Webinar - What counts as climate adaptation finance? Unlocking a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for financial institutions Organiser: UN Environment Programme, Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Extreme weather is now the top long-term global risk, and the need for climate adaptation is rapidly becoming recognized as a financially material concern. Meeting this demand will require hundreds of billions of dollars annually, creating a significant opportunity for banks, insurers and investors. Yet many financial institutions still face a core challenge: how to clearly identify, define and scale adaptation investments in practice. A lack of consistent, widely understood definitions makes it difficult to integrate adaptation into investment and lending decisions. Sustainable finance taxonomies can help address this gap but applying them effectively remains complex. This webinar introduces UNEP FI’s new Adaptation Finance Taxonomy Playbook, designed to support policy, compliance, investment and underwriting teams at financial institutions in navigating these challenges. Join to gain practical guidance, explore real-world case studies, and discover tools that can help translate adaptation ambition into actionable financing strategies. You can find more information here and register via this link. |
| 07/07, 19.00 CEST | Webinar - Clean Energy Solutions for Data Center Demand Organiser: World Resources Institute (WRI) Across the U.S., data centers are driving rapid new power demand for the first time in decades, with real consequences for costs, reliability, and emissions. This webinar will highlight a set of innovative solutions — including on-site and procured clean energy sources, flexible operations, and technologies to free up grid capacity — that can mitigate costs and ease grid strain, rather than compounding it, across locations. Join the WRI U.S. Polsky Energy Center for a discussion with developers, utilities, and technology providers about practical approaches and technologies that can quickly and affordably get more clean energy into the grid, deliver benefits and minimize harm to communities, and meet the looming challenge of rising demand. Speakers:
You can find more information and register via this link. |
| 08/07, 10.30 CEST | Webinar - China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: Implications for sustainable investment and green transition Organiser: UN Environment Programme, Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) This public webinar, co-hosted by UNEP FI and Eco-Business, discusses the potential impacts of China’s recently passed 15th Five-Year Plan on green finance and the green transition in China—and implications for the rest of the world. China’s 2026–2030 Five-Year Plan is the latest in its primary macro-policy framework, shaping priorities across economic, social and environmental spheres. The 15th FYP is especially consequential because it will define the path of China’s development during the decade leading up to 2035, a key year for China’s domestic modernization and climate goals and for its international climate commitments, including its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement. Topics to be discussed include:
This session is designed for financial practitioners, policymakers, regulators, supervisors, investors, sustainable finance professionals and other stakeholders interested in China’s green transition, green finance and sustainable investment. You can find more information here and register via this link. |
| 09/07, 10.30 CEST | Webinar - Demand Growth in Spain: Drivers and Barriers Organiser: Aurora Energy Research Electricity demand has a material impact on power prices and renewable investment economics, and is increasingly central to broader economic and industrial policy. However, regulatory roadblocks such as delays in permitting and tariff structure are currently limiting demand growth and distorting price signals for large consumers. In this Public Webinar, we will focus on the impact of electricity demand on power prices, as well as how this affects investment signals and industrial competitiveness in Spain. Specifically, we will address the following key questions:
You can find more information here and register via this link. |
| 15/07,11.00CEST | Webinar - Unlocking flexibility at scale: Emerging technologies for modern power systems Organiser: International Energy Agency (IEA) The IEA’s Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative, the IEA 4E TCP Efficient, Demand Flexible Networked Appliances (EDNA) Platform are co-organising a webinar to explore how new approaches and technologies to unlock demand-side flexibility at scale to support secure, efficient, and decarbonised power systems. The session with present new findings with recent EDNA research, case studies, market and technology insights on demand flexibility protocols; plug-in battery energy storage systems (balcony storage); and data centres and flexibility. You can find more information here and register via this link. |
