Clean Energy Ministerial fully recognises the essential role of the private sector and seeks to leverage its expertise, influence, and capital. The private sector partners; chosen for their visionary work, innovative solutions and ambitious approaches, are encouraged to provide high-level policy input as well as practical expertise and to participate directly in the technical work of the CEM.

Involvement by the private sector is essential to ensure that the CEM’s full potential is realized.

Private sector companies can participate in dedicated CEM Campaigns and Initiatives, through making commitments (i.e. commitment to low carbon lighting as part of the Global Lighting Challenge), convening workshops (i.e. as part of the Advanced Power Plant Flexibility Campaign) , as well as recognition of their efforts in annual CEM awards (for example in energy management). In addition, each year the CEM convenes roundtables on select topics at its annual ministerial meetings. These roundtables provide an opportunity for participating ministers and high-level officials to engage in an open discussion with the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and other experts on clean energy issues identified as being particularly topical and salient. The goal of the roundtables is to literally bring those parties to the table to share their views, increase understanding, and promote collaboration where helpful.