What is the Clean Energy Ministerial?

The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) is a high-level global forum for energy ministers from 30+ governments representing 90%+ of global clean energy investment to accelerate the global clean energy transition. Founded in 2009, it operates under IEA secretariat support and hosts annual ministerial-level meetings that coordinate clean energy initiatives, set collective goals, and launch cross-country collaboration programs. CEM initiatives include EV Collaborative (electric vehicles), 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, Global Cooling Pledge, Clean Power Alliance, and Mission Innovation for clean energy R&D. Unlike COP (UNFCCC), CEM is specifically energy-sector focused and action-oriented rather than treaty-negotiating.

What is Mission Innovation?

Mission Innovation (MI) is a global initiative launched at COP21 in 2015 in which 24 member countries and the EU committed to double clean energy R&D investment over 5 years. MI2 (launched 2021) established 10 'Missions' — collaborative R&D programs targeting: clean hydrogen, offshore wind, green-powered future, clean power, urban transitions, clean industrial systems, sustainable biofuels, carbon removal, circular food economy, and cooling solutions. Mission Innovation operates alongside CEM and shares a ministerial meeting forum. By 2026, participating governments collectively spend ~$40bn/year on clean energy R&D — up from ~$15bn pre-MI. The initiative is a key mechanism for governments to share research, de-risk technology development, and scale emerging clean energy solutions.

What are the main CEM initiatives for clean energy transition?

Key CEM initiatives active in 2027: (1) EV Collaborative — coordinating EV charging standards, battery technology, and grid integration across member countries; targets 30% new car EV share globally by 2030; (2) Global Cooling Pledge — phase-down of high-GWP HFC refrigerants, improving AC efficiency; critical as cooling demand surges with climate change; (3) Clean Power Alliance — accelerating clean electricity deployment; 2030 target: triple global renewable capacity; (4) Positive Energy Districts (PED) — urban energy transition collaboration; (5) 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact — hourly-matched clean electricity procurement by corporates and governments; (6) Hydrogen Initiatives — electrolysis scaling, hydrogen certification standards, and cross-border trade frameworks. CEM 2027 in Berlin will emphasise industrial decarbonisation and energy security in the context of the EU's ongoing REPowerEU and Fit for 55 implementation.

Clean Energy Ministerial 2027

Name: Clean Energy Ministerial 2027
Start: 2027-05-18T08:00:00
End: 2027-05-20T18:00:00
Location: Berlin

Published 1 October 2026 · Updated 22 October 2026

Dates18–20 May 2027

LocationBerlin, Germany

HostGermany (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action)

SecretariatInternational Energy Agency (IEA)

Members30+ governments; 90%+ of global clean energy investment

The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) is the world's most senior government-level platform for accelerating clean energy deployment — an annual gathering of energy ministers from the world's major economies to coordinate policy, launch collaborative initiatives, and signal collective ambition on the energy transition. CEM 2027 meets in Berlin at a pivotal moment: the 2030 clean energy targets set at COP28 (triple renewables, double efficiency) are being stress-tested against energy security imperatives and industrial competitiveness pressures.

For the COP climate policy framework that provides CEM's context, see our COP31 2026 event preview. For the EU energy policy implementation running in parallel, see our EU Energy Week 2026. For critical minerals supply needed to deliver CEM's clean energy goals, see our critical minerals 2026.

Key CEM initiatives 2027

Initiative	Focus area	Key 2030 target
EV Collaborative	Electric vehicles & charging	30% global new car EV share by 2030
Global Cooling Pledge	HFC phase-down; AC efficiency	Double AC efficiency by 2030
Clean Power Alliance	Renewable electricity deployment	Triple global renewable capacity 2022→2030
Hydrogen Initiatives (H2I)	Green hydrogen scaling	Certification standards; cross-border trade frameworks
24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact	Hourly matched clean electricity	Grow corporate/government signatories; set standards
Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative	Steel, cement, chemicals	Near-zero emission materials procurement signals
Energy Storage Partnership	Battery storage; long-duration storage	1,500 GW global storage by 2030

Mission Innovation (MI2)

Mission Innovation runs concurrently with CEM, with ministers reviewing R&D progress across 10 collaborative missions:

Clean Hydrogen: Electrolysis cost reduction to $1/kg by 2030 (from ~$3–5/kg in 2026); electrolyser scale-up; offshore wind-to-hydrogen
Offshore Wind: Reducing costs and scaling floating wind; deep-water applications; shared research on foundations and transmission
Carbon Removal: DAC (direct air capture) scaling from demonstration to industrial scale; soil carbon; BECCS
Sustainable Biofuels: SAF and marine biofuels from non-food biomass; scaling HEFA and advanced pathways — see our SAF 2026 analysis
Nuclear: Advanced reactor designs (SMRs — small modular reactors); waste management innovation; fusion research milestone coordination

By 2026, MI governments collectively spend ~$40bn/year on clean energy R&D — approximately 2.7x the pre-MI baseline from 2015.

CEM 2027 agenda themes (Berlin)

CEM 2027 in Berlin is expected to focus on:

Tripling renewables delivery: Mid-term stocktake on the COP28 commitment — which countries are on track, which are lagging, and what policy interventions accelerate delivery
Grid and storage gap: Transmission infrastructure bottlenecks (permitting, investment) are emerging as the binding constraint on renewables deployment — CEM's first dedicated grid initiative may launch in 2027
Industrial decarbonisation: Green steel (direct reduced iron + green H₂), green cement, and clean chemicals — the hardest sectors, requiring carbon pricing or industrial policy to move
Energy security and transition: Reconciling rapid clean energy deployment with energy security obligations — especially as European gas demand remains elevated post-Russia disruption
Emerging economy transition support: Financing mechanisms for non-OECD countries to leapfrog to clean energy — Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) for South Africa, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Senegal

Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs)
JETPs are bilateral agreements between major economies (G7 + EU) and large emerging market coal-dependent economies to accelerate their energy transitions with blended public-private finance. First launched at COP26: South Africa ($8.5bn), followed by Indonesia ($20bn), India ($8.5bn at COP27 — later expanded), Vietnam ($15.5bn), and Senegal ($2.7bn). CEM 2027 will assess JETP implementation progress — early results have been mixed: disbursement has been slower than announced, and recipient countries have raised concerns about loan terms and conditionalities. JETPs represent the most concrete attempt to translate climate finance pledges into actionable energy transition support in coal-heavy economies. For energy pricing context in these economies, see our Southeast Asia fuel subsidies 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Clean Energy Ministerial? CEM is a global forum of energy ministers from 30+ governments (90%+ of global clean energy investment) to accelerate clean energy transitions. Founded in 2009, IEA-secretariats. Annual meetings launch and review collaborative initiatives: EV Collaborative, Global Cooling Pledge, Clean Power Alliance, Hydrogen Initiatives, 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact. Action-focused, not treaty-negotiating — complementary to COP.: CEM is a global forum of energy ministers from 30+ governments (90%+ of global clean energy investment) to accelerate clean energy transitions. Founded in 2009, IEA-secretariats. Annual meetings launch and review collaborative initiatives: EV Collaborative, Global Cooling Pledge, Clean Power Alliance, Hydrogen Initiatives, 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact. Action-focused, not treaty-negotiating — complementary to COP.
What is Mission Innovation? Mission Innovation (MI) is a parallel initiative where 24 countries + EU committed to double clean energy R&D from 2015 baselines. MI2 (2021) runs 10 R&D missions: clean hydrogen (target $1/kg), offshore wind, carbon removal (DAC), sustainable biofuels, nuclear (SMRs), and others. Member governments spend ~$40bn/year on clean energy R&D — 2.7x the pre-MI level. Shares ministerial forums with CEM.: Mission Innovation (MI) is a parallel initiative where 24 countries + EU committed to double clean energy R&D from 2015 baselines. MI2 (2021) runs 10 R&D missions: clean hydrogen (target $1/kg), offshore wind, carbon removal (DAC), sustainable biofuels, nuclear (SMRs), and others. Member governments spend ~$40bn/year on clean energy R&D — 2.7x the pre-MI level. Shares ministerial forums with CEM.
What are the main CEM initiatives for clean energy transition? Key CEM 2027 initiatives: EV Collaborative (30% EV new car share by 2030), Global Cooling Pledge (double AC efficiency), Clean Power Alliance (triple renewables), Hydrogen Initiatives (certification, trade), 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (steel, cement, chemicals), and Energy Storage Partnership (1,500 GW by 2030).: Key CEM 2027 initiatives: EV Collaborative (30% EV new car share by 2030), Global Cooling Pledge (double AC efficiency), Clean Power Alliance (triple renewables), Hydrogen Initiatives (certification, trade), 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (steel, cement, chemicals), and Energy Storage Partnership (1,500 GW by 2030).