.jpg)
Before the Energy Security Summit, the IEA hosted a meeting to address Ukraine’s energy challenges. (Photo: IEA)
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is holding a two-day summit on the Future of Energy Security in London starting April 24, with a focus on climate security, critical minerals, and clean energy supply. It is widely expected that US and European representatives will clash over energy security issues.
Over 60 leaders expected to attend, but China absent
The summit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical strain, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent natural gas prices soaring and pushed European countries to accelerate renewable energy adoption and reduce energy import dependence.
However, the US, especially under the Trump administration, is pressuring Europe to increase fossil fuel imports, with expanded LNG exports being a key American objective. This divergence in approach has led to notable policy disagreements between the US and Europe.
French MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, representing the European center-left, emphasized Europe’s need for more wind power and better insulation, dismissing the US’s “drill, baby, drill” approach as unworkable for the continent.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol highlighted the growing risks to global energy supply, noting Europe’s continued reliance on imported natural gas. The summit’s agenda reflects a balance between fossil fuels and renewables, with discussions on both sectors.
The event brings together more than 60 high-level leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and ministerial representatives from Japan, France, Germany, and India. The United States is represented by Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Tommy Joyce, while dozens of energy company executives are also in attendance.
Notably absent from the summit is China, the world’s largest exporter of clean energy technologies and a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Reports suggest the absence is due to scheduling conflicts and disputes over infrastructure projects with the UK, one of the summit’s co-hosts.
Brazil urges stricter emissions goals before COP30
Ahead of the London event, the UN and COP30 host Brazil convened a closed-door online meeting with 17 major economies and small island states to urge submission of updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for emissions reduction.
The UN and COP30 host Brazil held an online meeting on April 23, urging countries to develop more ambitious NDCs. (Photo: COP30)
With many countries missing the February deadline, Brazil extended the submission date to September and called for more ambitious targets. According to the Paris Agreement, NDCs should be updated every five years, but there are no penalties for late submissions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to release a new NDC covering all greenhouse gas emissions from economic activities before the upcoming climate summit, marking China’s first explicit commitment of this scope—a development seen as significant for global climate action.
Source: Climate Home News, The Guardian, Financial Times, Reuters
.jpg)
