The report: 'Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable World Energy
Outlook', produced by the European Renewable Energy Council
(EREC) and Greenpeace International, provides a practical blueprint
for rapidly cutting energy-related CO2 emissions in order to help ensure
that greenhouse gas emissions peak and then fall by 2015. This can
be achieved while ensuring economies in China, India and other
developing nations have access to the energy that they need in
order to develop.
"Unlike other energy scenarios that promote energy futures at
the cost of the climate, our energy revolution scenario shows how
to save money and maintain global economic development without
fuelling catastrophic climate change. All we need to kick start
this plan is bold energy policy from world leaders," said Sven
Teske, Greenpeace International's Senior Energy Expert and
co-author of the report.
"Strict efficiency standards make sound economic sense and
dramatically slow down rising global energy demand. The energy
saved in industrialised countries will make space for increased
energy use in developing economies. With renewable energy growing
four-fold not only in the electricity sector, but also in the
heating and transport sectors, we can still cut the average carbon
emissions per person from today's four tonnes to around one tonne
by 2050," he added.
Especially in the context of today's economic instability,
investing in renewable energy technologies is a 'win-win-win'
scenario: a win for energy security, a win for the economy and a
win for the climate. While 'business as usual' energy scenarios
from bodies like the International Energy Agency come at the cost
of the climate and the economy, the Energy [R]evolution makes a
clear case for 'business as unusual'. It estimates that the
additional costs for coal fuel from today until the year 2030 are
as high as USD 15.9 trillion, more than is required to pay for the
make the Energy [R]evolution. These renewable energy sources will
produce electricity without any further fuel costs beyond 2030,
creating an enormous number of jobs and helping lift the world out
of recession.
Oliver Schäfer, EREC Policy Director said, "The global market
for renewable energy can grow at a double digit rates until 2050,
and overtake the size of today's fossil fuel industry. Currently,
the renewable energy market is worth USD 70 billion and doubling in
size every three years."
"Because of economy of scales, renewable energies such as wind
power at good sites are already competitive with conventional
power. From around 2015 onwards, we are confident that renewable
energies across all sectors will be the most cost effective energy
capacities. The renewable industry is ready and able to deliver the
needed capacity to make the energy revolution a reality. There is
no technical impediment but a political barrier to rebuild the
global energy sector," he added.
"Countries like China and India are well placed to take the
enormous investment opportunity presented by the energy
revolution," said G Ananthapadmanabhan, Greenpeace International
Programme Director. "It would be retrogressive for them to focus on
fossil fuels to power their rapid economic growth. The energy
revolution is key to them climate proofing their development."
The report also highlights the short time window for making the
key decisions in energy infrastructure. In order to achieve a
greenhouse gas emission peak by 2015 and a fast reduction
afterwards governments, investment institutions and companies must
act swiftly, and a strengthened UN climate deal must be agreed.
Copies of the "Energy [R]evolution: A sustainable World Energy
Outlook" report can be downloaded at: www.greenpeace.org/energyrevolution and www.erec.org. For
other regional reports please go to www.energyblueprint.info
Other contacts: Oliver Schäfer, Policy Director of EREC: +32 496 65 2837
Sven Teske, Greenpeace International renewable energy campaign
+ 31 62129 68 94
Alexandra Dawe, Greenpeace International communications officer
+ 31 629001146
Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 20 718 24 70
Notes: - For a full briefing on the financial benefits of the Energy [R]evolution scenario go to http://www.greenpeace.org/energyrevolutionbrief
- 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.
- This year's edition of the Energy [R]evolution added detailed analysis of the potential for energy efficiency potential, future transport systems such as electric cars and a financial analysis of the power sector.
- 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.