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GLOBAL DECARBONIZATION ACCELERATOR

December 2 – December 12, 2023
Global Decarbonization Accelerator Connect, Energy Transition Hub, COP28 Green Zone

Global Decarbonization Accelerator

The GEC is co-hosting the Global Decarbonization Accelerator (GDA) Connect space featuring panel discussions on accelerating pathways to net-zero, interviews, networking, and more.

Stay tuned for more information.

Agenda

Live from COP28

Global thought leaders discuss the role of cross-sector collaboration to reach decarbonization and climate goals, and how conversations at COP28 are influencing global implementation.

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GLOBAL ENERGY FORUM

December 5 & 7, 2023
COP28 Green Zone Connect Conference Center and St. Regis Dubai, The Palm

The 8th Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will be held this December as the world’s top energy and climate decision-makers converge in the UAE for COP28.

The Forum takes place at a time of rapid transformation of the global energy landscape enabling a diverse community of industry executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to set the energy agenda for the year ahead while accounting for the geopolitical and economic implications of the changing energy system.

REGISTER HERE

Past events

Public Event Tue, November 14, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

The road to COP28: The energy transition in Central America

A conversation on opportunities, impediments, and key leverage points for the energy transition in Central America.
Americas Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
Online Event Tue, November 14, 2023 • 1:00 pm ET

What to expect at COP28

The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht – Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, Africa Center, and Global Energy Center host a discussion to understand what the COP28 conference should deliver, and how we should measure its success.
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Online Event Wed, November 15, 2023 • 10:00 am ET

Working toward net-zero: A conversation on advancing clean energy transitions at COP28

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center hosts a conversation with The Hon. David Turk, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy and Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

PUBLICATIONS

The Global Energy Agenda: A look ahead to 2024

The Global Energy Center’s flagship publication.

The energy transition can shape a more inclusive world

By Damilola Ogunbiyi

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Europe needs a Green Deal that can meet the moment

By Michał Kurtyka

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Countries can only achieve carbon neutrality together

By Shin Hosaka

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Public funds alone can’t solve the climate crisis

By Mafalda Duarte

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Accelerating clean energy in emerging markets

By Sebastian Kind

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Toward net zero with a new generation of nuclear energy

By John Wagner

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Partner perspective: A catalyst for cleaner energy

By Scott Strazik

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Partner perspective: Climate policies must reflect developing world’s needs

By Majid Jafar

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A people-centric energy transformation

By H.E. Leila Benali

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Energy security as the foundation for Ukraine’s formula for peace

By German Galushchenko

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Partner perspective: Energy companies are essential to global climate solutions

By Mansoor Mohamed Al Hamed

Read more
ALL ESSAYS

Timely commentary and analysis

EnergySource

Jun 18, 2025

Energy security is only achievable through global partnerships

By Elena Benaim, Paddy Ryan

The Atlantic Council’s flagship Global Energy Forum concluded its programming in Washington, DC, today. What emerged as a central theme throughout was the undeniable need for any single country to engage in international partnerships to achieve energy and national security, whether speakers were discussing divergent transatlantic views, nuclear power, or critical mineral supply chains.

Africa Americas

EnergySource

Jun 17, 2025

The energy system is more complex than ever: navigating AI, competitiveness, and growth

By Elena Benaim, Paddy Ryan

The Atlantic Council’s flagship Global Energy Forum opened today in Washington, DC, bringing together top energy and policy leaders at a critical moment for global energy strategy. These experts and policymakers weighed in on the increasingly complex landscape of energy policies amid intense competition to win the artificial intelligence (AI) race, rising geopolitical tensions, and divergent national priorities.

Africa Americas

EnergySource

Jun 16, 2025

US global leadership in the age of electricity

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Amid shifting geopolitics and the emerging “age of electricity,” the United States has an opportunity to assert global leadership in energy and security. Through foreign policy, the Trump administration can leverage US strengths in natural gas, nuclear power, and emerging energy technologies to engage allies in building a secure and resilient global electricity system.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Jun 13, 2025

The strategic reserve and the Israel-Iran conflict

By Joseph Webster, Landon Derentz

The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is well-stocked and poised to help ease market pressures amid growing tensions stemming from Israel’s strikes on Iran. Rising domestic production, strong export capacity, and high net import cover collectively enable the United States to respond decisively while preserving energy stability at home.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Jun 11, 2025

Complex energy systems face low-tech threats

By Travis Nels

The daring destruction of Russian strategic bombers through an operation of the Ukrainian intelligence service highlights the power of asymmetric warfare. While a stunning feat for Ukraine, the operation serves as an important reminder that the use of cheap, low-end systems can also be used against critical, vulnerable infrastructure in the West—its grid, in particular.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Jun 2, 2025

MDBs must finance nuclear power—or Russia and China will

By Juzel Lloyd

The growing influence of Russia and China in global nuclear energy financing threatens to reshape the future of energy geopolitics. To address this, multilateral development banks must recognize nuclear energy as a vital tool for expanding energy access, and modernize outdated policies to support deployment.

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

May 21, 2025

Replace the Inflation Reduction Act with FUEL-AI

By Joseph Webster

To compete in the global AI race, the United States must dramatically expand its power supply. Replacing the Inflation Reduction Act with the FUEL-AI Act would reorient energy policy toward national security, fast-tracking domestic energy production and infrastructure to power America’s AI future.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

May 13, 2025

Four energy deals Trump will look to make on his Middle East trip 

By Ellen Wald

President Trump’s upcoming trip to the Middle East will focus on advancing energy and commercial agreements, including securing Gulf investments in US manufacturing, increasing US LNG imports, deepening nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and locking in oil production commitments. These efforts are ultimately aimed at advancing broader geopolitical objectives—countering Russian influence and strengthening US energy dominance.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

May 9, 2025

Environmental risk weighs heavily on the possible rewards of deep sea mining 

By William Yancey Brown

Despite growing political momentum to advance deep sea mining for critical minerals, the practice remains at odds with existing US and international environmental laws. Current proposals fail to meet legal standards, and the potential for irreversible damage to marine ecosystems raises serious concerns.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

May 5, 2025

Make critical mineral spending matter this time  

By Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes

The United States has a crucial opportunity to translate large-scale funding into critical mineral stockpiling and resilient supply chains—but only if Congress structures spending to create durable markets. Without clear demand signals, real commercial offtakes, and price stability, proposed funding risks falling short of delivering on its potential.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Apr 29, 2025

Can Nord Stream really rise from the dead? 

By Alan Riley

Despite recent discussions between Moscow and Washington over restarting the Nord Stream pipelines, legal, financial, and political hurdles make reopening them improbable. Multimillion dollar claims against Gazprom along with US stakes in the European LNG market are likely to severely limit support for Russian gas flows to the EU.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Apr 28, 2025

If Russian gas returns to Europe, it must go through Ukraine

By Sergiy Makogon

The resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe as part of a potential cease-fire agreement in Ukraine is under discussion, but any such flows would need to transit through Ukraine rather than Nord Stream or other routes. To safeguard regional stability, the EU, Ukraine, and the US must enforce strict safeguards to avoid renewed dependency and prevent Russia from once again weaponizing its energy exports.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Apr 23, 2025

Illicit mineral supply chains fuel the DRC’s M23 insurgency 

By Clarkson Kamurai, Brad Handler, and Morgan Bazilian

The illicit trade of mined materials is fueling the M23 insurgency in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), threatening regional stability and hindering development. As the United States considers a minerals-for-security agreement with the DRC, international engagement, ethical sourcing practices, and strengthened oversight are critical to fostering long-term peace in this resource-rich region.

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

EnergySource

Apr 15, 2025

Central Asia’s geography inhibits a US critical minerals partnership

By Haley Nelson and Natalia Storz

Central Asia holds vast critical mineral resources, but limited export capacity and complex environmental, geopolitical, and legal risks make large-scale US investment unfeasible. The US should instead focus its efforts on allied nations with established mineral export industries.

Central Asia Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Apr 3, 2025

Profitability and power: Fixing US critical minerals supply chains

By Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes

The global critical minerals race is well underway, and the American supply chain is behind. To regain momentum, the US must make this industry viable by creating a financial framework that attracts and retains capital.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

OUR WORK

Glasgow, Scotland | 2021

Atlantic Council Live from COP26

Running from November 1st to November 11th in parallel to COP26, each day Atlantic Council Live from COP26 tackled a different set of issues, thematically linked to the conference schedule.

EXPLORE
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt | 2022

GEC at COP27: Ambitions for All

At COP27, the GEC engaged in interviews, high-level events, and quick takes with public- and private-sector leaders in Sharm el Sheikh to explore how energy can empower ideas and creative solutions that achieve net-zero ambitions while ensuring energy access for all regions.

EXPLORE

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The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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