The Conference

Since its inception in 2015, the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) has become one of the world’s most important forums on the global energy transition. In a high-caliber conference program held over the course of two days at the Federal Foreign Office, the BETD facilitates personal exchange between high-ranking government representatives, global business leaders, scientists, leaders of international organisations and NGOs. Here, key decision-makers of the energy transition engage in dialogue and bilateral meetings to share ideas and experiences, discuss and solve urgent challenges and forge energy partnerships in pursuit of an environmentally sound, secure, and affordable global energy transition.

An energy transition that achieves one hundred percent renewable energy is possible. That message was the starting point for the dialogue that was initiated eleven years ago; today it is clearer than ever how paramount that goal is to combatting the climate crisis we face. Countries all over the world recognise the unprecedented urgency that is driving the energy transition. What is at stake is more than saving the climate. A renewables-based energy supply is also a powerful job engine that will provide skilled employment and grow prosperity as it promotes a reliable, locally sourced energy system based on decentralised, resilient technologies.

In past years, the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue has been attended by prominent guests including President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, President of the Republic of Kenya Dr Wiliam Ruto and Patricia Espinosa as Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC.

The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue is not only the largest event taking place at the Federal Foreign Office, it is also the largest and longest-running energy transition conference organised by the German government. The BETD takes place at the invitation of the German government and is organised jointly by the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), the German Solar Association (BSW), the German Energy Agency (dena) and the consulting firm eclareon.