COP 27 side events

People around the world are feeling the growing impacts of the climate crisis. On 9, 10 and 17 November, Directorate for Internal Market, Entrepreneurship and SMEs will host/co-host four online side-events as part of COP27. The European Health and Digital Executive Agency will also host a related side-event.

The four online side-events will address sustainable investing with InvestEU, critical raw materials, the solar photovoltaic industry alliance and local green deals.

Sustainability funding under InvestEU: supporting greener business practices

The Invest EU sustainability products aim to support investments contributing to the green and sustainable transformation of European companies as well as green energy efficient households using criteria inspired by the EU taxonomy. The side-event will raise awareness about these products (managed by the European Investment Fund) and the possibilities that InvestEU offers to help SMEs transition to sustainability.

Wednesday 9 November 2022, 11:30 – 12:30 (CET)

Register for the sustainability funding under InvestEU event and remember to click on ‘Add to my schedule’ to ensure you have enrolled for the session.

The Critical Raw Materials Act

The EU has already declared the resilience of raw materials supply chains one of its key priorities while increasing mining capacities in Europe, diversifying its value chains and investing in recycling. In addition to several legal proposals already on the table, like battery regulations or the amendment of the eco-design directive, the Commission is preparing a raw materials act to address these issues.

Wednesday 10 November 2022, 11:30 – 12:00 (CET)

Register for the critical raw materials act event and remember to click on ‘Add to my schedule’ to ensure you have enrolled for the session.

Presentation of the Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance

The Alliance is a concrete initiative of the EU Solar Energy Strategy, adopted in May 2022 as part of the REPowerEU Plan. It will help the EU reach over 320 GW of newly installed solar photovoltaic capacity by 2025, and almost 600 GW by 2030. In turn, this expedites solar power deployment across the EU and improves the resilience of the EU energy system.

Wednesday 10 November 2022, 13:30 – 14:30 (CET)

Register for the solar photovoltaic industry alliance event and remember to click on ‘Add to my schedule’ to ensure you are enrolled in the session.

Solar energy generation and storage – More sustainable processes for the planet and people

Organised by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA).

Solar power will help green energy in the EU and beyond. Since African countries have an abundance of sunlight, this is a geographical area of great potential. However, solar energy harvesting and power storage of power face technological challenges, so the EU has invested in innovation to overcome these obstacles. HADEA's COP26 side-event will showcase promising EU-funded projects, as well as highlight fruitful technological cooperation between the EU and the African Union.

Monday 14 November 2022, 13:30 – 14:35 (CET)

Register for the solar energy and storage event and read up on more information.

Local Green Deals – Implementing global ambitions at the local level

The session presents major cities’ achievements towards their green transition and Local Green Deals, their evolution within the past year and their key factors for success, notably in engaging the local businesses and citizens in the collaborative process.

Wednesday 17 November 2022, 11:00 – 12:00 (CET)

Register for the local green deals event and don’t forget to click on ‘Add to my schedule’ to ensure you have enrolled for the session.