The 2024 Aspen-Columbia Global Energy Forum, held June 5–7 in Rio de Janeiro, convened leaders from government, industry, civil society, and academia to address the urgent challenges of achieving a fair and affordable clean energy transition amid rising energy security and geopolitical pressures. Organized by the Aspen Institute and Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, the forum underscored the importance of North-South collaboration in tackling the climate crisis.

Against a backdrop of intensifying climate events and a shifting energy landscape, the forum explored critical topics, including financing the energy transition in emerging markets, the role of green industrial policy and its impact on global trade, and the implications of COP 28’s fossil fuel transition agenda for the oil and gas industry. Additionally, Brazil’s energy transition strategies provided valuable insights for other emerging economies. The forum also addressed the geopolitics of energy, focusing on how energy policies intersect with elections and power dynamics, as well as the pressing need for sustainable development and processing of critical minerals.

This report captures the diverse perspectives shared under non-attribution principles, offering a comprehensive look at the challenges and pathways toward a sustainable energy future.

Contact for inquiries: energy@aspeninstitute.org or cgepcomms@columbia.edu