The Mitigation Enabling Energy Transition in the Mediterranean region (meetMED) project is an EU-funded project, developed by the Mediterranean Association of the National Agencies for Energy Management (MEDENER) and the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) will participate at the the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Located in the COP28 Blue zone, the RCREEE Pavilion will host relevant meetMED’s side events and working meetings that shall provide an exceptional opportunity to highlight strengthening the implementation of energy efficiency measures and improving the beneficiary countries’ energy mix by focusing on building and appliances’ sectors. While raising public awareness of the necessary challenges and investments, through a multi-scale, multi-partner and inclusive approach at local and regional levels, promoting regional cooperation.

meetMED side events at COP28:

Monday, 4 December 2023, 10:30 – 12:00, RCREEE Pavilion | Energy Efficiency Finance: mobilisation challenges in the Mediterranean Region

The Energy Efficiency First principle should become a priority, however, one of the key challenges in implementing energy efficiency measures is accessing the necessary financing, therefore, a concept of Energy Efficiency Finance has emerged to address this challenge, Financing the energy transition is of a structuring nature, it requires strong actions, sharing of financing solutions, establishing guarantees, and identifying common responses from the countries of the region. The event started with an opening note from H.E., the Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water, Dr. Walid Fayad who highlighted the importance of energy efficiency dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders in the MENA region to accelerate investments in energy efficiency projects. Followed by a fruitful discussion on crucial aspects that need to be further examined and integrated into the national strategies of the South and East Mediterranean countries. In addition to showcasing experiences of MED SEI Forums, realized by the meetMED Project as well as innovative financing models, and lessons learned from different EU-funded projects such as the  Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB), that will foster collaboration to replicate or adapt successful approaches in their contexts. Concept Note

Tuesday, 5 December, 03:30 – 05:00, Morrocan Pavilion | Development of energy services in Africa: For a just transition

In the Moroccan and African context, energy services play a key role in achieving energy efficiency objectives and in facilitating climate action. Energy services respond to the main challenges facing African countries today (continental access to energy, energy supply, and meet energy demand). This event will highlight the role of energy services and the potential they present in terms of climate change mitigation and sustainable economic development in Africa. Key achievements and sharing of experiences are at the heart of the agenda and will help paint a picture of the booming African market. During the panel, the meetMED project “Initiatives to enhance energy efficiency in public buildings” have been reviewed by Roberta Boniotti, Secretary General of MEDENER. Program

Wednesday, 6 December, 09:30 – 11:00, French Pavilion | Building a climate-friendly and resilient future for sustainable construction in the Mediterranean region and West Africa: Mobilizing local construction value chain for decarbonization of buildings. Watch Live Streaming 

Transforming the buildings and construction sector into a greener, more sustainable industry requires unwavering national commitments, substantial investments, and a robust foundation of capacity building. Moreover, it demands enhanced collaboration among all stakeholders. This event will gather stakeholders from different implementing and donor agencies to exchange lessons learned in the implementation of sustainable building projects across the Mediterranean and West Africa. Different points in the value chain, such as sustainable materials and demolition and waste will be explored. Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) will bring the project lifecycle perspective, sharing best practices on project preparation and access to international sources of finance. Representatives from meetMED Project as well as PEEB’s implementing agencies AFD and GIZ, as well as from donors such as the EU, will participate in PEEB’s section.

Friday, 8 December,11:00 – 12:30, RCREEE Pavilion | Importance of Capacity building in cooling sector in the MENA region 

Building capacity facilitates a collaborative approach, aiding countries in identifying and addressing barriers, sharing experiences, and finding effective solutions to enhance regional progress. The session aims at recognizing the vital role of capacity building in the MENA region’s cooling sector. The expected outcomes will address how to identify and better understand the barriers impeding progress in the cooling sector, paving the way for targeted solutions. In addition to raising awareness about the significance of investing in human and institutional capabilities for sustainable development in the cooling sector. Concept Note

Monday, 11 December, 11:00 – 12:30, RCREEE Pavilion  Energy Performance Standards: Optimizing Energy Consumption of Appliances in the Arab Mediterranean Countries

The appliance scrapping side event at COP 28 is designed to gather high-level strategic participants to gain more insights into the scrapping and recycling industry, as well as identify the potential for collecting, recycling, and marketing materials from scrapped appliances. Additionally,  the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) is one of the effective tools for promoting the energy-efficient market of appliances. Population growth, urbanization, economic activities, and the demand for energy-intensive appliances are continuing to increase significantly. Concept Note