When world leaders and policymakers gather to chart a global course on climate change, our experts are there to offer solutions. Here you’ll find the Council’s convenings and analysis from COPs past and present, diving into the most pressing questions for energy, resilience, politics, economics, and more.

Current Council coverage

The Atlantic Council at COP28

The Atlantic Council is on the ground at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, delivering analysis and gathering policymakers and climate leaders to map out the energy transition and how to build a climate-resilient world.

Past Council coverage

COP27

COP27 Egypt

The Atlantic Council is convening top policy leaders and delivering expert analysis on the ground at the twenty-seventh United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

COP26

COP25

COP24

COP23

COP22

COP21

Content

EnergySource

Nov 4, 2022

Just Energy Transition Partnerships: Will COP27 deliver for emerging economies?

By Christopher Cassidy, Rainer Quitzow, and Maia Sparkman

The JETP model is poised to deliver results in South Africa. Now, at COP27 and beyond, the true test will be translating the model to other country contexts.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Nov 4, 2022

To meet energy security and climate goals, Africa needs investment in infrastructure

By William Tobin, Maia Sparkman

To this point, Western engagement in Africa has primarily taken the form of aid. For the continent to achieve widespread electrification and form the foundation for robust economic growth, that engagement will need to morph into investment and partnership.

Africa Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 3, 2022

The IEA World Energy Outlook 2022 highlights climate finance needs ahead of COP27

By Emily Burlinghaus

The new IEA World Energy Outlook 2022 should be used as a roadmap at COP27 for the allocation of climate-oriented resources. Doing so would better enable developing nations to ride the wave of interest in clean technologies amid the global energy crisis and share in the benefits of the transition.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 2, 2022

A new Europe-MENA energy interdependence: The role of hydrogen

By Giampaolo Cantini

A deeper Europe-MENA relationship could aid a secure transition in Europe and create lucrative low-carbon export opportunities and industries in North Africa. Hydrogen could be the cornerstone of these new ties, and COP27 could be the perfect forum to develop them.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Nov 1, 2022

China’s energy security realities and COP27 ambitions

By Joseph Webster, William Tobin

China will enter COP27 firmly playing both sides of the energy transition. The country is a global leader in clean technologies, but it is also pouring money into new coal plants and production. Beijing may have to choose between its climate aspirations and its coal realities to compete successfully with the West.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 1, 2022

How Europe can salvage its climate credibility at COP27

By Michał Kurtyka and Paddy Ryan

Europe’s recent energy policies have begotten accusations of climate hypocrisy, as the continent blocks access to financing for gas projects in developing countries yet scours those countries for gas supplies for its own use. At COP27, Europe can—and should—responsibly reconcile those contradictions.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Oct 31, 2022

COP27 and financing for sustainable energy development

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

COP27 will place the issue of climate finance front and center. The need to provide adequate support for developing nations beset by climate-related hardship and pursuing transition policies cannot be overstated.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Content

Muscat desert sunset

EnergySource

Oct 13, 2023

COP28 and the growing Europe-MENA hydrogen connection

By Giampaolo Cantini

A key piece of the COP28 plan to double global hydrogen production by 2030 will be connecting hydrogen-hungry Europe to the potential green hydrogen powerhouse of the MENA region.

Africa Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 23, 2022

COP27 readout: The good and the bad as COP27 concludes

By Global Energy Center

Global Energy Center experts take stock of two weeks of COP developments in Sharm el Sheikh.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 13, 2022

COP27 readout: Week 1 comes to a close

By Global Energy Center

Global Energy Center react to the first week of COP27 proceedings.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 11, 2022

Partner perspectives: In emerging markets, partnerships and proof points are key to driving the energy transition

By Roger Martella

COP27 is an opportunity for emerging economies to lead the energy transition. Public-private partnerships can help drive progress towards their goals.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Nov 10, 2022

Partner perspectives: The next unlock: Why software is key to the energy transition

By Scott Reese

The energy transition requires scale, but it also requires speed. Through the marriage of human ingenuity with data and computing power, software integration can enable the acceleration of electrification and decarbonization, moving the world closer to loftier climate ambitions.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

COP

Nov 10, 2022

Nancy Pelosi and Kathy Castor at COP27: The US won’t abandon its climate leadership, regardless of who controls Congress

By Katherine Walla

The US House speaker and the chair of the climate committee appeared at an Atlantic Council Front Page event in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

Transcript

Nov 10, 2022

Transcript: Nancy Pelosi and Kathy Castor speak after the midterm elections about the future of US leadership on climate change

By Atlantic Council

Pelosi and Castor joined the Atlantic Council in Sharm el Sheikh to discuss the United States' role in leading climate-change mitigation and adaptation.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 9, 2022

COP27 readout: Days 1 and 2

By Global Energy Center

Global Energy Center experts are on the ground at COP27. Here's what they observed over the first two days.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 8, 2022

Partner perspectives: With COP27 underway, there’s no time to waste—public capital is a key conduit to a just energy transition

By Susan Flanagan

The sheer scale of needed investments to enact the energy transition will require an unprecedented mobilization of capital. Given its unique capabilities, public capital must play a significant part in this effort.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2022

Live updates from COP27 as leaders battle climate change amid global crises

By Atlantic Council

Are global leaders heeding this year's wake-up calls with bold commitments at COP27? Our experts give their takes.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment