The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, visited the United States to participate in climate week at the United Nations General Assembly and represent Australia at the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Pittsburgh.
During his 5-day visit, Minister Bowen delivered speeches and attended bilateral and multilateral meetings in New York, Pittsburgh and Washington DC.
While in New York, Minister Bowen delivered a keynote address at the American Australian Association Business Council, with an audience of business leaders.
At the Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF) in Pittsburgh, Minister Bowen and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry signed a Letter of Intent to break down barriers for US companies to invest in Australia's clean energy industries. The signing of the Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI) will make it easier to encourage cost-competitive and efficient markets, and implement credible and transparent systems for investors.
Also at GCEAF, Minister Bowen helped launch the Net Zero Industries Mission with Austria. The mission's goal is to develop and demonstrate cost competitive solutions for the efficient decarbonisation of energy intensive industries by 2030. The Mission is led by Austria and Australia, in collaboration with Canada, China, the European Commission, Finland, Germany, the Republic of Korea and the UK, and will deliver at least 50 large-scale demonstration projects around the world by 2030.
In Washington DC, Minister Bowen delivered a keynote address on global energy security at the Indo-Pacific Strategic Dialogue at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
During the trip the Minister also met with Bill Gates, drove an electric Ford F-150, met with Al Gore, and met with 30 Australian industry, research and innovation representatives highlighting the expertise we bring to these forums.
