Energy [r]evolution report
According to one of the most comprehensive plans for future
sustainable energy provision launched today by Greenpeace and the
European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) (1) the global renewable
power industry could support 8.5 million jobs by 2030 (2) and
global carbon emissions could be cut by 80 per cent by 2050.
The report: 'Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable World Energy
Outlook'(3), provides a detailed practical blueprint for cutting
carbon emissions while achieving economic growth by replacing
fossil fuels with renewable energy and energy efficiency. This
phase-out of fossil fuels offers substantial benefits such as
energy security, independence from world market fuel prices, the
creation of millions of new green jobs and emission cuts large
enough to deal with the climate crisis.
The overall annual market for renewable technology will increase
from around US$100 billion today, to more than US$600 billion by
2030.
"Our Energy Revolution scenario shows how to eliminate
unpredictable fossil fuel costs, destructive mining and oil
exploration and with it catastrophes such as the current BP Gulf
oil spill," said Sven Teske, Greenpeace International's Senior
Energy Expert and co-author of the report. "Investing in people,
rather than dirty and dangerous fossil fuels not only boosts global
economic development but stems catastrophic climate change."
However, Simon Boxer, Greenpeace New Zealand Climate Campaigner
said the New Zealand Government was struggling to understand this
new global reality.
"Our Government is unveiling a new era of coal mining and oil
drilling that is a reversion to 19th century economic thinking and
one that does not account for the climate crisis. If our
Government continues on its current path our businesses and economy
will miss out and be left behind by this global green economic
revolution, to the detriment of all New Zealanders."
"New Zealand is already perfectly positioned to join the new,
green economic revolution. The world wants to engage with what we
have - an international clean and green reputation, an abundance of
renewable energy resources and technologies, and renowned bright
minds. Greenpeace has developed a vision for the future that
creates jobs and deals with the climate crisis. But where is the
New Zealand Government's economic vision for the future?" said
Boxer.
Christine Lins, Secretary General of the European Renewable
Energy Council (EREC): "The 2010 Energy Revolution report outlines
pathways towards a 100 per cent renewable energy supply for the
world. It demonstrates that there is no technological barrier to
achieving this vision and reaping its many benefits in terms of the
environment and jobs. The barrier is political. All that is now
needed to set a sustainable energy future for our planet is the
political will," said
The Energy [R]evolution scenario shows how to create about 12
million jobs, that is 8.5 million in the renewables sector alone,
by 2030. Under business as usual global renewable power jobs would
be only 2.4 million of the global power sector's 8.7 million jobs.
By implementing the Energy [R]evolution 3.2 million or over 33 per
cent more jobs globally will be created in the power sector.
"While many additional 'Just Transition' policies will be needed
to ensure workers will reap the benefits of a new low-carbon
economy - skills, social protection, quality of jobs; the Energy
Revolution report introduces interesting ideas which will scale up
investments in renewable energies, something crucial if we want to
fight future unemployment in the energy sector and avoid the
poorest of the planet, whose jobs depend on natural resources,
paying the costs of business-as-usual," said Guy Ryder, General
Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation
(ITUC).
Global CO2 emissions under the Energy [R]evolution scenario
would peak in 2015 and drop afterwards. Compared with 1990 CO2
emissions will be more than 80 per cent lower by 2050 if the energy
supply is based almost entirely on renewable energies. By 2050
around 95 per cent of electricity could be produced by renewable
energy.
Other contacts: Simon Boxer, Greenpeace NZ climate campaigner, 021 905 579
Phil Crawford, Greenpeace NZ media & communications, 021 22 99 594
Sven Teske, Greenpeace International renewable energy campaign, +31 62129 68 94
Alexandra Dawe, Greenpeace International Communications, +31 646177533
Greenpeace international Press Desk, +31 20 718 24 70
Christine Lins, Secretary General of EREC, +32 478 96 21 91
Mathieu Debroux ITUC Press Officer, +32 476621018
Notes: 1. Created on 13 April 2000, the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) is the umbrella organisation of the European renewable energy industry, trade and research associations active in the sectors of photovoltaics, small hydropower, solar thermal, bioenergy, geothermal, ocean, concentrated solar power and wind energy. EREC represents an industry with an annual turnover of EUR 70 billion and providing over 550.000 jobs.
2. The latest Energy [R]evolution report published today has two different energy [r]evolution scenarios. A moderate one with a global target of reducing 50% energy related CO2 globally by 2050 and an advanced one with a target of over 80% CO2 reduction (basis 1990 level). In this release we only present the results of the advanced scenario.
3. This is the third edition of the global Energy [R]evolution scenario since the first one was published in January 2007, the analysis has been constantly deepened. In the second edition we introduced specific research for the transport sector and an investigation of the pathway to future investment in renewable energies. Since then we have published country specific scenarios for over 30 countries and regions, added a study of the employment implications of the scenarios and a detailed examination of how the grid network needs to be improved and adapted.
4. The report was developed in conjunction with specialists from the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Dutch Institute Ecofys and more than 40 scientists and engineers from universities, institutes and the renewable energy industry around the world. The report provides a comprehensive global energy concept which gives a detailed analysis of how to restructure the global energy system based on a detailed regional assessment for the potential of proven renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and the utilisation of efficient, decentralised cogeneration. The Energy [R]evolution Scenario is compared to a ‘business as usual’ scenario provided by the International Energy Association’s breakdown of 10 world regions as used in the ongoing series of World Energy Outlook reports.
5. For a more in depth briefing on the latest edition of the Energy [R]evolution scenario go to www.greenpeace.org/ER2010keyfacts
6. To access infographics please go to www.greenpeace.org/ER2010graphics
7. To learn more about the Energy [R]evolution download our new iphone App at www.greenpeace.org/energyapp
Exp. contact date: 2010-07-08 00:00:00