For the first time in a decade, global electricity access has declined, largely due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. At the current rate, 660 million people will lack electricity and 1.8 billion will remain without access to clean cooking facilities by 2030. In response to the urgent need for reliable, sustainable, and modern energy in all corners of the world, the United Nations established Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which addresses persistent energy access inequalities, over-reliance on fossil fuels, and the sluggish adoption of renewable alternatives.
Business events can be powerful catalysts for advancing SDG Goal 7. By bringing together thought leaders and innovators in collaborative environments, international conferences can help to accelerate energy innovation, knowledge sharing, and policy transformation. BestCities Global Alliance works to enhance these efforts by connecting 13 business events destinations through a unified platform that fosters important dialogue and impactful legacy initiatives, many related to clean energy.
Table of Contents
- Shattering the grid: barriers to a clean energy future
- Powered by BestCities: driving change through clean energy events
- Clean energy catalysts: how BestCities partner destinations support sustainable change
- Shaping the future: BestCities partner destinations prepare to host major clean energy events
- Fueling the clean energy revolution: how business events can support SDG goal 7
Shattering the grid: barriers to a clean energy future
Fossil fuels – including coal, oil, and natural gas – continue to dominate global energy consumption, accounting for approximately 80 percent of worldwide usage despite their harmful impact. As the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), fossil fuels trap heat and significantly contribute to global warming. While eco-conscious innovators champion alternative energy sources, progress toward sustainable options is slow due to several challenges, including insufficient investment in renewable technologies, inadequate energy infrastructure in developing regions, and inconsistent policy frameworks across nations.
SDG 7 aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030. However, the 2023 “Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report” reveals that current efforts fall short of meeting established targets. Additionally, mounting debt burdens and escalating energy prices in countries around the world are further hindering access to clean cooking facilities and electricity, amplifying barriers to achieving SDG 7.
Powered by BestCities: driving change through clean energy events
BestCities champions SDG 7 through several strategic initiatives. As a signatory to the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge, the organization has integrated sustainability into its core operations, with every event and project designed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. This commitment was exemplified during BestCities’ annual Global Forum in Melbourne (2024) and Dublin (2025), thanks to a partnership with Trees4Events that enabled the calculation and offsetting of 222 tonnes of carbon emissions. The comprehensive sustainability effort encompassed both renewable energy investment through wind power and environmental restoration through the planting of 1,356 trees.
Clean energy catalysts: how BestCities partner destinations support sustainable change
BestCities’ partner destinations are equally committed to advancing UN SDG goal 7 through business events:
- Melbourne showcased its leadership by hosting the Asia Pacific Offshore Wind & Green Hydrogen Summit (2023), which convened industry leaders focused on driving the uptake of offshore wind and green hydrogen throughout the Asia Pacific region. The conference established Victoria, Australia as a major player in renewable energy while driving forward-thinking policies and regulations that support sustainable energy projects and set new benchmarks for environmental practices. (Read the case study here.) Building on this momentum, Melbourne will host the Asia Pacific Wind Energy Summit (16-18 September 2025), further cementing the city’s growing reputation as a regional knowledge hub for wind energy innovation.
- Dubai is actively moving towards global clean energy progress through sustainable business events practices. Hosting COP28 in 2023, the city welcomed over 85,000 participants and more than 140 delegates and officials. The event marked the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement and reinforced the need to accelerate the shift from fossil fuels to renewables. Central to Dubai’s sustainable event strategy is close collaboration with DMCs and PCOs to embed responsible practices throughout event planning and delivery. This includes working with venues that are internationally certified for sustainability, as well as promoting the use of digital tools, sustainable transportation, and eco-certified accommodations to ensure events in Dubai contribute to a cleaner, more resilient future as standard practice.
- Copenhagen welcomed the WindEurope Annual Event (8-10 April 2025), a global gathering attracting over 16,000 industry professionals. Fittingly hosted at the Bella Center Copenhagen – a venue that generates approximately 30 percent of its energy needs through a 16,000-square-metre integrated solar panel park – the conference highlighted cutting-edge developments in offshore and onshore wind technologies, including floating wind turbines (which are installed in deep waters, offering access to stronger wind resource); digital twins (creating a virtual replica of a wind turbine or farm); and AI and machine learning (used to optimize wind farm operations, predict equipment failures, and improve overall efficiencies).
Shaping the future: BestCities partner destinations prepare to host major clean energy events
Several BestCities partner destinations are preparing to host conferences dedicated to advancing renewable energy solutions worldwide:
- Dublin will welcome Energy Ireland (11-12 June 2025), Ireland’s premier energy conference, which examines the latest developments across all energy sectors including renewables, electricity, gas, energy markets and infrastructure, sustainability, heat, and digital energy. The 2025 program will highlight critical themes such as the future electricity grid, financing Ireland’s energy transition, and the outlook for large energy users.
- Washington, DC will host National Clean Energy Week (15-19 September 2025), showcasing policies, industries, and innovations that power daily life while minimizing GHGs.
- Madrid will host GENERA Energy and Environment Fair (18-20 November 2025), Spain’s biggest energy trade exhibition, which attracts over 35,000 professionals interested in energy efficiency and renewable technologies.
- Cape Town will host Africa Energy Indaba Week (3-5 March 2026), the continent’s flagship energy event, drawing global thought leaders committed to shaping sustainable energy solutions for Africa.
- Houston will welcome CERAWeek (23-27 March 2026), the premier energy conference focused on transition, innovation, hydrogen, and renewable technologies.
- Guadalajara will welcome Renew Energy Plus (RE+) Mexico (14-16 April 2026), the country’s leading renewable energy trade show, featuring technology solutions and educational content across sectors such as solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, and microgrids.
Fueling the clean energy revolution: how business events can support SDG goal 7
Offering much more than passive education and surface-level networking, business events can be powerful launchpads for global transformation. In the energy sector, conferences that gather the world’s leading experts are working to rapidly reverse the effects of climate change and advance SDG 7 – ultimately ensuring people everywhere have access to affordable, clean energy.
BestCities and its partner destinations consistently work to elevate awareness, foster strategic partnerships, and stimulate investment in clean energy initiatives. This dedicated approach ensures the meetings industry makes a substantial contribution towards creating a more sustainable and energy-secure future for all.
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Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Advancing Education through Business Events: BestCities’ Commitment to SDG Goal 4
Championing Gender Equality through Business Events: BestCities’ Approach to UN SDG Goal 5