Clean Energy Conference: The Consumer Journey on the Road to Clean Energy
Monday 13 March, 1pm – 2.30pm UTC | 2pm – 3.30pm CET | 9am – 10.30am EDT | 9pm – 10.30pm HKT | 12am – 1.30am AEDT

Consumer shifts will be key to energy transitions that deliver benefits for both individuals and systems – whether a consumer opts for an electric vehicle, adopts cleaner cooking methods, or takes on a solar system installation. Yet key questions remain unanswered. What conditions and interventions are needed to support consumers to take action? What additional protections will they need in rapidly evolving markets? How are new models of consumer engagement in energy systems delivering benefit for people and planet?  

As we start our clean energy conference, our session will bring together leaders from business, government and consumer advocacy to discuss findings and recommendations from our latest publication. Our paper assesses the barriers and opportunities encountered in an ordinary consumer journey, from awareness to investment to use. Speakers will bring this journey to life with thumbnail sketches from around the world, illustrating the importance and potential of consumer protection and empowerment to accelerate the energy transition.

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Clean Energy Conference: Shaping the next generation of consumer-centred business models in energy
Tuesday 14 March, 3pm – 4.30pm UTC | 4pm – 5.30pm CET | 11am – 12.30pm EDT | 11pm – 12.30am HKT | 2am – 3.30am AEDT

Given the complexity of the energy landscape, new and innovative business models are key to advancing clean energy transitions. To step change energy efficiency, energy utilities are evolving from a traditional approach of selling as much energy as possible to providing solutions that mean consumers use less energy – and pay less as a result. And to build much needed flexibility into energy systems transitioning away from fossil fuels, businesses are providing new ‘demand response’ services to consumers like dynamic pricing tariffs. 

What are the win-win-win solutions for individual consumers, energy system, and planet? Do the drivers of new business models see consumer protection as a bottleneck? How can we change that? This session will convene industry, operator, and consumer voices in a dialogue on how to design innovations that build in consumer protection from the outset.

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Clean Energy Conference: Our consumer vision for clean and affordable energy
Wednesday 15 March 1pm – 2.30pm UTC | 2pm – 3.30pm CET | 9am – 10.30am EDT | 9pm – 10.30pm HKT | 12am – 1.30am AEDT

In 2022 Consumer International Members shared the extent of rising prices for consumers with 1/5 reporting price increases of more than 100%. Consumers find themselves in the eye of the storm, picking up the bill for skyrocketing fossil fuel prices. The twin challenge is to help consumers through current difficulties whilst enabling a rapid transition that protects consumers from price crises going forward. The future costs of inaction will be severe, both for people and planet. 

In a multistakeholder dialogue with business, government, and multilateral agencies we look at how to secure sustainability and affordability in the long term. What are the difficult trade-offs that can no longer be skirted? What are the potential benefits of redesigning systems and policies which ensure consumers are at the heart of dialogue and action.

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Clean Energy Conference: Grassroots solutions for energy access: how can we leverage the power of consumers?
Thursday 16 March, 11am – 12.30pm UTC | 12pm – 1.30pm CET | 7am – 8.30am EDT | 7pm – 8.30pm HKT | 10pm – 11.30pm AEDT

Access to basic energy service remains a challenge for millions of people around the world. To address this, consumer advocates across low- and middle-income countries are innovating through initiatives such as promoting collectively buy and use off-grid solar equipment and appliances. Businesses are finding new financing solutions to expand access to poorer consumers. What are the best solutions to achieve access for all? How can a unique partnership between consumer advocates, innovators and grassroots groups build and scale solutions? Our session hears from these actors, the case studies that have worked in the most unlikely of contexts and considers their applicability worldwide.

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Clean Energy Conference: Is consumer policy fit for a clean energy future?
Friday 17 March, 12pm – 1.30pm UTC | 1pm – 2.30pm CET | 8am – 9.30am EDT | 8pm – 9.30pm HKT | 11pm – 12.30am AEDT

To date, energy policy has not been designed from the point of view of the energy user, or with adequate consideration of consumers’ needs and vulnerabilities. Similarly, consumer policy has not been geared towards energy systems transformation. This session will explore how meaningful collaboration between energy system designers, regulators, policymakers and their consumer protection counterparts can change the system for the better.  

We will invite participants and session attendees to feed into Consumers International’s global recommendations to update and strengthen international consumer policy for the energy transition. As we close our conference, we share our next steps to advance change globally and how you can join us on that journey.  

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