Australia, India, Japan and U.S. hold first meeting of Quad Energy Ministers to discuss clean energy
For the first time, energy ministers of the Quad counties – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – met in Australia this week, discussing supply chains, energy security, carbon-free fuels, and climate change, among others.
Despite having worked together for 18 years as the Quad, this was the first time its representatives gathered in person. Attending were U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, India Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh, Australia Minister for Climate Change and Clean Energy Chris Bowen, and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda.
“Yesterday’s meeting was a historic moment where Quad energy ministers, for the first time, had the opportunity to chart next steps forward on our shared vision for a clean energy transition in the Indo Pacific,” Granholm said. “The Quad has proven itself as an important partnership working to advance broad foreign policy priorities, and I look forward to the progress we will collectively make to strengthen and enhance the global deployment of energy that is clean, affordable, and secure.”
The Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is a partnership that, as of this year, has jointly urged addressing climate change and implementing the Paris Agreement. Part of this, in their view, should include key stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region to more effectively mobilize climate finance, as well as the research, development, and deployment of innovative technology.
At this meeting, the Quad representatives discussed the progress of the Quad Clean Energy Innovation and Deployment work program, from its clean energy supply chains to cooperation on reducing methane emissions from natural gas and developing clean hydrogen and fuel ammonia. They also reiterated their commitment to accelerating the development and deployment of zero emissions technologies and the clean energy transition at large.
