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Journalism of Courage
Renewable sources could supply close to 80 per cent of the world’s energy needs by mid-century if backed by the right public policies,says the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
In a report,it says that almost half of current investment in electricity generation is going into renewables. But growth will depend on having the right policies in place,it says.
The report said renewable sources — bioenergy,wind,solar,geothermal,hydropower and ocean energy currently accounted for about 13 per cent of global energy supply.
To reach the goal of generating nearly 80 per cent of the world’s energy from those same sources would require investments by governments and the private sector amounting to USD 5.1 trillion through 2020,and nearly USD 7.2 trillion between 2021 and 2030,according to the report.
The findings,from over 120 researchers working with 194-nation IPCC,also indicate that the rising penetration of renewable energies could lead to cumulative greenhouse gas savings equivalent to 220 to 560 Gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (GtC02eq) between 2010 and 2050.
The upper end of the scenarios assessed,representing a cut of around a third in greenhouse gas emissions from business-as-usual projections,could assist in keeping concentrations of greenhouse gases at 450 parts per million.
This could contribute towards a goal of holding the increase in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius an aim recognised in the United Nations Climate Convention’s Cancun Agreements.
The findings,launched today after being approved by member countries of the IPCC in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi,are contained in a summary for policymakers of the Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN).
Speaking at the launch,Rajendra Pachauri,Chairman of the IPCC,said the IPCC brought together the most relevant and best available information to provide the world with this scientific assessment of the potential of renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change.
“The Special Report can serve as a sound knowledge basis for policymakers to take on this major challenge of the 21st century,” he said.
“With consistent climate and energy policy support,renewable energy sources can contribute substantially to human well-being by sustainably supplying energy and stabilizing the climate,” said Professor Ottmar Edenhofer,Co-Chair of Working Group III at the report launch.
“However,the substantial increase of renewables is technically and politically very challenging,” he added.
Youba Sokona,Co-Chair of the Working Group III,said that the potential role of renewable energy technologies in meeting the needs of the poor and in powering the sustainable growth of developing and developed economies can trigger sharply polarized views.
This IPCC report has brought some much needed clarity to this debate in order to inform governments on the options and decisions that will needed if the world is to collectively realize a low carbon,far more resource efficient and equitable development path.
