What concrete steps are being taken towards a just energy transition in South America? This is the question guiding the panel “A (Truly) Just Transition: Energy Transformation Happens in Cities,” which will take place from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Egypt Time) on November 9th at the Brazil Climate Action Hub (COP27 Blue Zone). Responsible for approximately 751 Tbp of the planet's greenhouse gas emissions, the energy sector is central to combating the climate crisis, and cities are essential in adopting measures that promote energy transition and climate justice. The event will be broadcast live on [platform name - missing from original text]. Brazil Climate Hub website and simultaneous translation in English and Portuguese.

Mayors and Secretaries of State and municipalities from South America present actions that have been adopted to boost the energy transition, a topic that cannot be addressed without confronting the different social realities and challenges of the most vulnerable populations. Globally, Approximately 760 million people lack access to electricity, and 2.6 billion still cook using unsuitable energy sources.. In Brazil, Many families have difficulty paying their electricity bill. and cooking gas, and about One million people lack access to electricity in the Legal Amazon region..  

The panel will include the participation of the Mayor of Niterói, Axel Grael, the former Mayor and Secretary of International Relations of the City of São Paulo, Marta Suplicy, among other authorities, and is coordinated by... ICLEI South America. ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is the leading global association of local and subnational governments dedicated to sustainable development and It officially represents more than 30 city networks in climate negotiations before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)..

Schedule: 

Moderation and openness: 

• Bianca Cantoni, Advocacy Advisor, ICLEI South America – 5´

Introduction and panel: 

• Giorgia Rambelli, Director, Urban Transition Mission, European Commission – 10´ 

Guiding question for the debate: 

In your view, what are the main challenges to accelerating the transition of the energy matrix to sustainable energy sources? How is your organization working on this issue to ensure that no one is left behind? 

Interventions (round 1): 

• Axel Grael, Mayor of Niterói, Brazil – 5´ 
• Marta Suplicy, Former Mayor and Secretary of International Relations for the City of São Paulo, Brazil – 5´ 

Interventions (round 2): 

• Fernando Chucre, Secretary of Infrastructure and Environment of the Government of the State of São Paulo – 5´ 
• Inamara Melo, Secretary of Environment and Sustainability of the Government of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil – 5´
• Ary Vanazzi, Mayor of São Leopoldo, Brazil – 5´ 
• Marília Carvalho de Melo, Secretary of State for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Government of Minas Gerais, Brazil – 5´ 

Interventions (round 3): 

• Gonzalo Bradot, Intendant of Avellaneda, Argentina – 5´
• Germano Bremm, Secretary of Environment, Urban Planning and Sustainability of the City of Porto Alegre, Brazil – 5´
• Rodrigo Figueiredo de Souza, Vice President of Sustainability and Procurement at AMBEV – 5´ 

Closing: 

• Giovana Figueiredo, Coordinator of Public Policies and International Cooperation, Sustainable Amazon Foundation, Brazil – 5'’