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RE and the Climate Change Challenge:. Can RE Technologies Deliver?. Steven Guilbeault, Greenpeace International. Defining the Challenge. UNFCCC Article 2 Millions at Risk. UNFCCC Article 2: Objective. The ultimate objective of this Convention is to
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RE and theClimate Change Challenge: Can RE Technologies Deliver? Steven Guilbeault, Greenpeace International
Defining the Challenge • UNFCCC Article 2 • Millions at Risk
UNFCCC Article 2: Objective The ultimate objective of this Convention is to • prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system…in time to… • allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to • ensure that food production is not threatenedand to • enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.
That’s Quite A Challenge Can RE technologies deliver ALL of that? NO!
What RE can’t do • Cope with IEA projected increases in electricity consumption; • Reverse global deforestation trends; • Energy efficiency MUST play a major role; • Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production must be transformed; • Transport
What RE technologies CAN Do • By the end of the century, renewables have the potential to provide nearly 100% of our energy needs…indeed they must if we are to meet the climate change challenge. • Existing RE technologies can provide a significant share of global electricity demand by 2020, and a very large share by 2040.
Working with the Industry • Greenpeace working with industry? European Wind Energy Association European PV Industry Association Solar Thermal Power Industry Association And others
Wind Force 12 • Wind Force 10 to Wind Force 12 • 27 fold increase in a decade
WHAT CAN WIND DELIVER? 2020 : 11 % of world electricity 2040 : 22 % of world electricity
WIND FUTURES Global Wind Power will be equivalent to reducing ...
SOLAR GENERATION • Enormous technical potential, but expensive so far, although costs are coming down; • Growth is fast, but starting from a very small base.
WHAT CAN SOLAR pv DELIVER? 2020 : 1 % of global demand 2040 : 26 % of global demand
SOLAR THERMAL • New report • Feasibility study like WF12 and SG • Working with BOTH European and US industry associations • Results
Next (for us) • Geothermal: technical potential w/existing technology = 1 X current global energy demand • ‘Modern Biomass’: technical potential w/existing technology = 40% of current global energy demand; • Marine Energy: technical potential w/existing technology = 5% of current global energy demand
Meeting the Challenge? • Role for government, industry and civil society • Growth rates achievable similar to other energy technologies (Fax machines, PC, mobile phones, etc).
An Important Step on The Road to Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change and A Clean Energy Future
Steven Guilbeault Greenpeace International G www.greenpeace.org