CERAWeek is the energy industry’s preeminent gathering of industry leaders and government officials, offering new ideas, insight, and discussions on major strategic issues facing the global energy industry. 2014 marks the 33rd anniversary for the annual executive conference. 2,300+ senior energy executives, government officials and thought leaders from the energy, policy, technology, and financial communities attend this event.
Andrew Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer of BHP Billiton, spoke to the delegates on Tuesday March 4th, 2014, calling for innovation, good governance and open markets to ensure energy supply for the world needs. MacKenzie highlighted Asia's reliance on coal, and predicted coal will continue to be that region's most affordable energy source.
MacKenzie endorsed tackling energy poverty and climate change as a single challenge. He outlined four key roles for the energy industry to undertake to ensure energy poverty and climate change are considered jointly. Energy producers need to:
- to reduce emissions from energy production operations
- mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change to reduce societal impact and maintain supply of commodities
- contribute the energy sector's knowledge to finding future energy solutions
- encourage the development of constructive policy
CEEC strongly advocates for improved efficiency of mineral processing, in line with the first initiative. Benefits include improved social licence to operate status as well as enhanced shareholder value.
The full speech is available on BHP Billiton's web site.