Bold and sustained action must start now and maximize the use of all low- and zero-carbon technologies if we are to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, warns the Roadmap to carbon neutrality for Europe, North America, and Central Asia released today by UNECE in the lead up to critical climate talks at COP27.
The report, which builds on the input from international experts and data scientists from across Europe, North America, and Central Asia, identifies a range of technology and policy solutions for the region to attain carbon neutrality by 2050 despite the current energy and geopolitical crises. It finds that investment in energy as % of Gross Domestic Product would need to increase from 1.24% in 2020 to 2.05% per year from 2025 until 2050. This values the investment needed at between USD 44.8 and 47.3 trillion by 2050, with any additional delay in taking action adding to the bill. As exemplified by the exponential costs of extreme weather events registered this summer and over the past years, inaction bears a much higher cost on society.
Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of UNECE said: “Inaction is a policy choice that will lead to greater, possibly insurmountable, challenges in the future. Only bold, immediate, and sustained action can decarbonize energy in time to avoid a climate disaster. This report is a bleak reminder that increased investment in conventional fossil fuels is delusional when viable low- and zero-carbon technologies exist. Governments must embrace policy frameworks in support of carbon neutrality and create a level-playing field to finance a just transition toward carbon-neutral energy systems”.
At present, over 80% of the primary energy mix in the UNECE region is fossil fuel based. Climate models indicate that current national actions and international climate targets set in the Paris Agreement and COP26 fall short of delivering carbon neutrality and limiting global warming to 1.5 – 2 °C.
To attain carbon neutrality, the report shows that the UNECE region must:
- Diversify primary and final energy supply with all low- and zero-carbon technologies
- Urychlit postupné vyřazování nesnížených fosilních paliv
- Scale-up electrification of all sectors with emphasis on renewable energy and nuclear power. New forms of energy storage (electric, mechanical, thermal, chemical) will need to be developed to decrease the need for fossil energy backups.
- Vybudujte kapacitu na podporu rozsáhlých inovací nízkouhlíkových a nulových technologií, jako je zachycování, využití a ukládání uhlíku (CCUS), vodík a pokročilá jaderná energie
Although approaches vary on a sub-regional level, the report identifies specific policy actions for governments to enact. It calls for increased technology transfer and deployment and institutional capacity to plan and drive ambitious transformation of energy systems. These actions will support buy-in and adoption from all stakeholders to build secure, affordable, and carbon-neutral energy systems.
Energetická rozhodnutí jednotlivých zemí by měla brát v úvahu srovnatelný uhlíkový dopad během celého životního cyklu všech výrobních technologií a podpůrné infrastruktury, jak bylo zdůrazněno v nedávno zveřejněném hodnocení životního cyklu zdrojů elektřiny.
Zpráva připomíná, že pro dosažení uhlíkově neutrálních energetických systémů bude nezbytná koordinovaná mezinárodní spolupráce. UNECE poskytuje tolik potřebnou inkluzivní a neutrální platformu pro vývoj pravidel, standardů a norem pro systémové změny životního stylu a infrastruktury. Podpůrné politiky, pobídky a regulační rámce podporují regionální a subregionální technickou spolupráci napříč sektory energetiky, průmyslu, stavebnictví a dopravy pro projekty společného zájmu a partnerství veřejného a soukromého sektoru.
Poznámka pro redaktory
This publication, the first UN-regional led modelling of the energy system in 2022, builds on the recommendations from the Pathways to Sustainable Energy Project and the UNECE Carbon Neutrality Project. The project supports countries’ efforts to reach carbon neutrality and attract investments into clean infrastructure projects. The publication forms part of the UNECE Carbon Neutrality Toolkit. Countries are invited to put into practice the UNECE Carbon Neutrality toolkit when developing resilient energy systems.
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