5 November, 2025
Recap of the Smart Energy Council’s Impact at COP30
As global leaders, experts and communities gathered in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the Smart Energy Council proudly represented Australia’s renewable energy industry – forging partnerships, influencing global dialogue, and helping drive momentum toward a clean, resilient energy future.
Australia’s Leadership Framed in The Canberra Times
Ahead of COP30, The Canberra Times (9 November) featured CEO John Grimes alongside leading Australian climate voices, highlighting Australia’s opportunity to lead globally through distributed clean energy.
“Australia is showing the world how households and small businesses can power the transition – one rooftop, one battery at a time.” – John Grimes, CEO, Smart Energy Council & CEO, RECAP
This framing set the tone for Australia’s engagement at COP30 – demonstrating that grassroots, household-led energy transformation can shift global climate ambition.
Read article here
COP30 Program Overview
Across three major events, the Smart Energy Council showcased the ideas, partnerships and innovations shaping the path to net zero:
Hiding in Plain Sunlight – Getting to 300 Million Solar Rooftops
12 November | Global Renewables Hub
Keynote: Josh Wilson, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
In partnership with the Global Solar Council
Chasing the Gigatonnes – Making Green Steel a Reality
17 November | Australian Pavilion
With Li Shou, Asia Society & Marcelo Donnini Freire, former Brazilian National Secretary for Climate Change and International Relations
Hosted by RECAP – Renewable Energy Council Asia Pacific
Powering Up the Blue Pacific – How the Pacific Can Be the World’s First 100% Renewable Region: Launch of a nee report
17 November | Moana Blue Pavilion
Keynote from Chris Bowen, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Panel of Pacific & Caribbean voices, including Minister Maina Talia of Tuvalu, Minister Ralph Regenvanu of Vanuatu, and the former Minister Dr James Fletcher of St Lucia
In partnership with Island Minds Vanuatu
These sessions brought together governments, innovators and communities to explore practical pathways: rooftop solar, green steel and Pacific-led renewable build-out.
Raising the Roof: Launching the Global Push for 300 Million Solar Homes by 2030
One of the most impactful moments of COP30 was the global launch of the 300 Million Solar Homes by 2030 campaign.
In Belém, John Grimes, in his roles across the Smart Energy Council, RECAP and the Global Solar Council (GSC), joined:
- Rodrigo Lopes Sauaia, Chair, GSC & CEO, ABSOLAR
- Solar Citizens
- OpenSolar
- Global Renewables Alliance (GRA)
…to unveil the Rooftop Solar Pledge and the #RaisetheRoof campaign.
“In Australia, saving money with rooftop solar has become a barbecue discussion.” – John Grimes, CEO, RECAP
The campaign urged governments across Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific to embed household solar + storage targets into their climate strategies – ensuring the global energy transition is fast, fair and people-led.
Advancing Australia’s COP31 Bid & Elevating Pacific Leadership
The Smart Energy Council contributed prominently to discussions about Australia’s bid to host COP31, particularly through a key panel hosted by Wollemi Capital:
“The Next Stop COP31: Supporting Australia’s Climate Leadership.”
John Grimes appeared alongside:
- Paul Hunyor, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Wollemi Capital
- The Hon. Matt Kean, Chair, Climate Change Authority
- Kushla Munro, Deputy Secretary, DCCEEW
The panel emphasised:
- Australia’s strong case to host COP31
- The central leadership role of Pacific nations
- The need for sustained industry mobilisation
This formed a major part of the Smart Energy Council’s international engagement at COP30.
Standing With Ukraine: Energy, Security and Reconstruction
At COP30, the Smart Energy Council made a significant contribution to global support for Ukraine’s energy future.
John Grimes’ Address at the Ukrainian Pavilion
John delivered a moving message of solidarity beside a national park sign pierced with bullet holes – a potent symbol of the ongoing conflict. He called for a global mobilisation of distributed solar and battery storage to deliver resilient power systems across Ukraine.
He also urged early planning for post-conflict reconstruction, noting Ukraine’s enormous renewable potential, including wind resources capable of powering Europe six times over.
Connor Price Presents on Ukraine’s Energy Security
Subsequently, Connor Price presented at a high-level session on:
“Ukrainian Energy Security Marshal Plan & Subnational Climate Diplomacy: Local Partnerships for Global Impact.”
He spoke alongside:
- Viktoriia Kyreieva, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection & Natural Resources of Ukraine
- Congressman Sean Casten, U.S. House of Representatives
- Alex Sobel, MP & UK Trade Envory to Ukraine, United Kingdom
- Oleh Serniak, Mayor of Pustomyty, Ukraine
Connor shared Australia’s lessons in distributed energy and community-led resilience, demonstrating how smart energy systems can support energy security during conflict and reconstruction. Together, these engagements underscored the Smart Energy Council’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s path to rebuilding their energy system to ensure a clean, secure future.
Strengthening Indo-Pacific Partnerships
John Grimes and Thom Woodroofe met with Dr Arunabha Ghosh, Founder & CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and COP30 Regional Champion.
Discussions centred on:
- Advancing Australia’s COP31 bid
- Expanding the Renewable Energy Council Asia-Pacific (RECAP) alliance
- Deepening collaboration across India, Southeast Asia and the wider region
The partnership focus was clear: scaling rooftop solar, storage and smart distributed systems across the world’s fastest-growing energy markets.
Asia–Pacific Renewable Cooperation: Pakistan Collaboration
John, Connor and Don Henry also engaged with Muhammad Basit Ghauri, Founder of Renewables First, a leading Pakistani non-profit driving national solar adoption.
Pakistan’s extraordinary achievement — 17 GW of solar deployed in 2024 alone — was a key topic, with discussions on collaboration in:
- Community energy models
- Workforce development
- Distributed solar policy and deployment strategies
10 Years of the Global Solar Council
COP30 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Global Solar Council (GSC).
John joined international solar leaders, including the Chairman of LONGi Solar, to celebrate a decade of global progress in solar adoption and industry collaboration.As Chair-elect of the GSC, John’s participation highlighted Australia’s growing leadership in shaping the future of global solar deployment.
A Strong Australian Voice at COP30
Across panels, bilateral meetings, international partnerships and major campaign launches, the Smart Energy Council delivered one of its most active and influential COPs yet.
From
- Leading the push for 300 million solar rooftops
- Supporting Ukrainian energy resilience
- Backing a 100% renewable Blue Pacific
- Elevating Australia’s COP31 bid & incoming Presidency
- Deepening Indo-Pacific energy collaboration
- Celebrating 10 years of global solar leadership
…the Smart Energy Council ensured Australia’s voice was loud, confident and globally impactful in Belém.
End Note: Reports, Commentary and Post-COP30 Reflections
In addition to on-the-ground engagement throughout COP30, the Smart Energy Council contributed to a series of key publications and policy discussions that extended the impact of Australia’s presence beyond the conference halls.
As part of Australia’s broader engagement at COP30, the Smart Energy Council supported the government’s efforts to secure COP31 hosting rights. While Australia ultimately secured the crucial role of COP31 President of Negotiations, the Council emphasised that this position still offers significant opportunities for leadership and influence.
Following COP30:
- Thom Woodroofe, Senior International Fellow, wrote in The Guardian on how Australia can maximise its impact as COP31 President of Negotiations, despite not hosting the summit.
- Thom Woodroofe and John Grimes jointly authored an article in The Energy, reflecting on what COP30 outcomes mean for Australia’s renewable energy industry and investment pipeline.
- John Grimes, speaking with AAP, highlighted the importance of using the post-COP moment to catalyse domestic industry growth – including the potential for a dedicated standalone national clean energy event in 2026, even in the absence of hosting COP31 itself.
Together, these contributions reinforced the Smart Energy Council’s role not only as an on-the-ground participant at COP30, but as a leading voice shaping the policy, industry and public narrative that will define Australia’s clean energy future in the years ahead.
More reflections and next steps will follow as the outcomes of COP30 continue to shape global and regional action.
