Washington, DC – November 28, 2023
The Bezos Earth Fund is set to take center stage as the primary sponsor for the 2023 Global Student Energy Summit, the world’s largest youth-led energy event. Bringing together over 650 young participants from 150 countries, the summit aims to create a transformative space for collaborative discussions on energy solutions, involving more than 30,000 young individuals. The event will serve as a launchpad for 15 youth-led clean energy start-ups and as a platform for training and supporting 30 COP28 delegates who are youth climate activists and advocates.
The Bezos Earth Fund’s announcement of its headline sponsorship for the 2023 Global Student Energy Summit (SES 2023) comes with the theme “Reimagining the Future.” Hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi from November 28th to December 1st, 2023, this historic occasion is strategically aligned with COP28, providing a platform for young people from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with industry leaders and energy experts in driving a just and equitable clean energy future.
SES stands as the world’s largest youth-led energy event, prioritizing equal gender representation and diverse perspectives, with 40% of attendees participating in their first international conference. Leading up to SES 2023, the summit engages over 30,000 young individuals through virtual and in-person capacity-building and digital engagement sessions.
Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, expressed excitement about this groundbreaking partnership, stating, “Since its establishment in 2009, Student Energy has evolved into the world’s largest youth-led organization dedicated to energy, empowering a network of 50,000 young people across 120 countries to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and equitable energy future. Our support for SES 2023 seamlessly aligns with the Bezos Earth Fund’s mission to foster innovation, collaboration, and action in the clean energy realm. The youth-led initiatives and start-ups emerging from this summit play a pivotal role in driving systemic change, and we take pride in being part of this movement.”
As the future leaders of the energy sector, young participants face both a challenge and a unique opportunity. According to the International Energy Agency’s Net-Zero Emissions Scenario, over 30 million jobs in low-carbon technologies will be created by 2030. However, the Energy Transition Skills Report, conducted by Student Energy in partnership with Ørsted, reveals that 47.6% of the survey’s 2,000 youth respondents lack awareness of existing job opportunities. With over half of the global population under 30, young people require training to bridge labor shortfalls, promote economic development, ensure social welfare, and support climate resilience in vulnerable communities.
The summit serves as a catalyst for action and entrepreneurship, offering support to 15 youth-led clean energy start-ups in priority regions through training and seed funding. Lydia Sanz Lozano, Co-Vice Chair of Programming for SES, emphasized, “SES23 is a platform to not only connect us with each other but also to sit at the table with representatives of governments, companies, and institutions during these three days. It fosters a lifelong connection to join forces and increase global efforts to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.”
In addition, SES 2023 serves as a launchpad for youth climate activists and advocates, training and supporting delegates to join a COP28 delegation that amplifies key messages from SES 2023 through partner-driven events. SES is making its debut in the Middle East, highlighting the vision of the UAE’s energy transition.
Nicole Iseppi, Managing Director of Global Energy Innovation at the Bezos Earth Fund, remarked, “Leveraging the strategic location and timing of SES, we will support up to 40 SES delegates to attend COP28. Our partnership provides students with the opportunity to engage in UN proceedings and enrich the conversations at the highest level of climate change negotiations. We have a responsibility to support young innovators and elevate their voices on the global stage. SES 2023 is not just a summit; it’s a platform for tangible change, and we are excited to be a part of it.”
