The 6th RD20 Conference was the first time this event occurred outside of Japan, proving that India is at the forefront of clean energy innovation. The conference was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in partnership with Japan’s Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Policymakers, researchers, and industry experts joined the Leaders Session to discuss strategies for global clean energy transitions. The conference underscored actionable pathways for achieving net-zero emissions and fostering technological advancements in renewable energy.
The event began with addresses by TERI and AIST leadership, setting the stage for discussions on India’s energy transformation. Delegates highlighted India’s ambitious target of achieving 77% renewable energy by 2047 and its initiatives in green hydrogen and smart grid technologies. The session emphasized the role of collaborative research and development in accelerating sustainable energy goals. Technical sessions focused on advancements in biofuels, hydrogen technologies, and biochemicals while addressing challenges in implementing renewable solutions.
The key outcomes of the RD20 were technical progress updates, workshops, and future collaborative work. Reports from previous editions, such as the Tokyo Symposium and COP29, were submitted for discussion, and new partnership ideas under Mission Innovation, an international commitment to clean energy research and innovation, were proposed. Participants looked into the alignment of RD20 initiatives with G20 objectives, further exploring areas of mutual innovation with carbon-neutral technology implementation.
The conference highlighted India’s part in renewable energy, emphasizing investment in R&D to catalyze clean energy manufacturing. The plenary lecture focused on the role of hydrogen in decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors, targeting the achievement of 500 GW of non-fossil electricity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. Collaborative sessions were developed to emphasize leveraging innovation towards global sustainability, with attention to affordability, accessibility, and efficiency in the deployment of clean energy.
In addition to these technical discussions, RD20 and Mission Innovation are meant to strengthen international cooperation on clean energy through a combination of joint workshops and strategic dialogue. The partnership thus hopes to bring clean energy in tandem with the Paris Agreement and global pathways toward net zero, emphasizing the need for collective action.
In focusing on actionable strategies and international cooperation, the RD20 conference reemphasized its dedication to the promotion of innovation, security in energy, and climate issues on a global scale.
Source: Newsvoir