7 Challenges for Global Energy Transformation — Rocky Mountain Institute Report
Credit to Author: Cynthia Shahan| Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2019 01:02:30 +0000
Published on December 19th, 2019 | by Cynthia Shahan
December 19th, 2019 by Cynthia Shahan
Seven Challenges for Energy Transformation 2019 | By Rocky Mountain Institute
Seven Challenges for Energy Transformation 2019, a report by Rocky Mountain Institute, was launched during three connected international events in Delhi, Beijing, and New York that convened the world’s leading energy stakeholders and catalysts to kickstart a global effort to accelerate the energy transition and mitigate the climate crisis.
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) states it succinctly — the world is badly off track. In spite of some parts of the energy system changing and rapidly working towards reduced GHG emissions, the world is still badly off track. The report explains that to achieve the world’s Paris Agreement goal of limiting global average temperature increase to well below 2°C, top-down government policy actions cannot be expected to deliver the changes needed. Change needs to come more rapidly, in time to offset and slow the most severe consequences of global climate change. The report zeros in on a leapfrog transition to hasten change.
In our new report, we've identified #SevenEnergyChallenges that the world must address together in order to mitigate the #climatecrisis & transform global energy use. Stay tuned starting tomorrow for insight into each of these challenges.
Download: https://t.co/eo4ncfRNFC pic.twitter.com/clmzwmA84t
— Rocky Mountain Inst (@RockyMtnInst) November 19, 2019
Even with good starts such as the Green Deal from the EU Commission, it is not enough, not far-reaching enough.
The science is clear: we must #ActOnClimate. Thousands of cities, states, and businesses are already stepping up, but we can go even further. The latest report from #AmericasPledge shows how we can achieve a carbon-free future. https://t.co/Swehpcp3fS pic.twitter.com/lhjxFuzqAZ
— Rocky Mountain Inst (@RockyMtnInst) December 9, 2019
RMI understands that due to gravity of the situation, an ungrounded planet is spinning out of balance (in denial, delusion, war, crisis from the effects of fossil fuels, and greed). Of the many nations who are struggling to address issues of security, trade, and economic stability; only a few have the focus and the collective will that is now necessary to make critical changes in energy policy, changes that are required to put energy systems on a path to swifter change in the time frame needed.
“Our analysis and experience suggest that there is another way to get to the goal. This is a path of emergence, sparked by bold and decisive actions on the part of citizens, corporations, philanthropic institutions, subnational leaders, regulators, and policymakers. Meaningful progress to address the climate crisis can emerge quickly from an upwelling of actions taken by leading institutions in the next two to three years—provided these institutions have the will and the capacity to work together in new ways.”
RMI recommends taking a systems approach, a willing collaborative action on the part of industry, government, civil society, and philanthropy. “Because action on these challenges will be strongly synergistic, having a view of the whole can ensure we work more effectively.”
A press release about the report highlights a handful of core areas of importance:
Yet again, here are the 7 major challenges urgently facing society:
1. Making emissions visible
2. Tripling energy productivity gains
3. Electrifying with renewables
4. Reinventing cities
5. Boosting clean technology
6. Redesigning industry
7. Securing a swift and fair transition
The 1.5°C carbon budget will likely be consumed in the next three decades by commodities and consumer goods alone. Graphic from Seven Challenges for Energy Transformation 2019, by Rocky Mountain Institute
The report is comprehensive, well illustrated, and captures the synergy needed. The full report can be downloaded here.
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Cynthia Shahan Cynthia Shahan started writing by doing research as a social cultural and sometimes medical anthropology thinker. She studied and practiced both Waldorf education, and Montessori education. Eventually becoming an organic farmer, licensed AP, and mother of four unconditionally loving spirits, teachers, and environmentally conscious beings born with spiritual insights and ethics beyond this world. (She was able to advance more in this way led by her children.)