The IPCC’s guidance on achieving a 1.5°C-aligned pathway emphasizes that renewable energy will play an increasingly dominant role in the global energy system. It states that by 2050, the share of energy supplied by renewables increases to 59%–97%—with pathways that have a higher chance of limiting warming to below 1.5°C showing a steep decline in the carbon intensity of electricity generation by 2030 (IPCC, SR15, 2018, Chapter 2, Executive Summary). This shift is driven by the maturity and declining costs of renewable energy and storage, (IPCC, AR6, WGIII, 2022, Chapter 4, Section 4.2.5.2) with wind and solar already cheaper than fossil fuel-generated electricity in many regions (IPCC, AR6, WGIII, 2022, Technical Summary). Nearly all electricity in pathways limiting warming to 1.5°C is supplied by zero- or low-carbon technologies, and emissions reductions at the level required for 2°C or 1.5°C are partially achieved through the increased electrification of buildings, transport, and industry sectors (IPCC, AR6, WGIII, 2022 Technical Summary, Section 4.2). The IPCC explains that it is feasible to use very high renewable energy shares (above 75%) to meet electricity demand, but it also states that some applications are not amenable to electrification and that 100% renewable energy systems will likely need to be complemented by alternative fuels such as hydrogen and biofuels (IPCC,AR6 WGIII, 2022, Technical Summary, Section 5.1). The IPCC also states that the rise of zero- and low-carbon energy technologies has been linked to technology-specific policies, which have been pivotal in driving their deployment (IPCC, AR6, WGIII, 2022, Chapter 14, Cross-Chapter box 10).
A +2 score, indicating strong alignment with the IPCC’s science-based guidance on the role of renewables in 1.5°C pathways, is achieved by supporting a rapid transition to renewable energy in line with IPCC guidance for 2030 and 2050, including supporting the transition to a renewables-dominated power system by 2030. A +2 is also applied to statements that support infrastructure, investments, or policy intervention to achieve a rapid transition to renewable energy.
A +1 score, indicating partial alignment with the IPCC’s science-based guidance on the role of renewables in 1.5°C pathways, is achieved by expressing general support for increasing the level of renewables in the energy mix or moving towards a renewables-dominated power sector, as outlined in IPCC guidance. A +1 is also applied to statements that convey general support for the need for government policy, investments, and infrastructure to achieve this.
A 0 score, indicating neutral alignment with the IPCC’s science-based guidance on the role of renewables in 1.5°C pathways, is achieved by generally supporting an increase in renewables in the energy mix with some ambiguity around the pace and extent of this increase. A 0 is also applied to general statements that support an increase in renewables but are not specific, such as those that do not address the need for a renewables-dominated power system or the overall role of renewables in the energy mix.
A -1 score, indicating misalignment with the IPCC’s science-based guidance on the role of renewables in 1.5°C pathways, is given when there is general support for a transition toward renewables but with a suggestion that the pace should be slower than that advised by the IPCC. A -1 is also applied to statements that emphasize concerns related to the feasibility of a rapid transition towards a renewables-dominated energy system or that suggest that a transition towards renewable energy should be left to market forces.
A -2 score, indicating strong misalignment with the IPCC’s science-based guidance on the role of renewables in 1.5°C pathways, is applied to statements that oppose the transition to a renewables-dominated energy system or that advocate against the need for investments, infrastructure, or policy intervention to achieve a rapid transition to renewable energy in line with IPCC recommendations.
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Renewable energy is the cornerstone in the fight against climate change [...] The global transition to renewable energy is the most important step we can take to counter climate change. Fossil-based energy continues to make up 74 % of global carbon emissions, and any remaining hope of keeping the rise in the global temperature to 1.5 °C hinges on immediate action to transform our energy systems at a speed and scale we have not seen before – more precisely, we need to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, as more than 130 governments recently pledged to do at COP28. [...] To make this happen, we need far more action than current stated policies and commitments. [...] We must find a way to build renewable energy now – and to do so, we must also build it right. [...] In addition to decarbonising our energy systems, renewable energy provides clean, affordable, and reliable energy, it improves air quality and health, and it strengthens energy security. And, when done sustainably, we can use it to take even further action for our climate and nature and boost local jobs, supply chains, and socio-economic development. [...] The starting point is for policymakers to further include environmental and social perspectives beyond price into renewable energy deployment where this is not yet the case. Focusing only on price incentivises developers to solely optimise for the minimal cost of energy, undermining efforts to avoid and mitigate sustainability impact and resulting in a missed opportunity for the wider societal value creation the sector can deliver. By incorporating supplementary criteria on societal value in tenders, governments can effectively incentivise such efforts – and simultaneously increase acceptance for the energy transition. [...] Renewable energy is one of the key technologies needed to decarbonise society and succeed in limiting global heating to 1.5 °C. [...] We are also actively calling our stakeholders to action for activities that will accelerate the renewable energy build-out in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Created - 05/03/2024
Last Edited - 05/03/2024
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Broadly supporting specific regulatory measures to transition towards zero-carbon technologies or infrastructure; evidence suggests supporting the development of an offshore renewable energy area to support the decarbonization of iron and steelmaking in Australia (Bluescope, Submission to the consultation on the proposed Illawarra Offshore Renewable Energy Area, October 2023)
In conclusion, we support the development of an offshore renewable energy area in the Illawarra that has the potential to supply significant quantities of renewable energy to help underpin the decarbonisation of iron and steelmaking in Australia, as well as encourage investment and job creation through the building of a domestic renewable energy component supply chain.
Created - 12/07/2024
Last Edited - 12/07/2024
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Entity is supporting renewables in the energy mix. There is some ambiguity regarding the pace and extent of expanding renewables, as well as the need for policy to support it (KT Corporation, 2023 ESG Report, July 2023)
Since more than 97% of KT's greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity use, it can be said that the use of renewable energy is the key to achieving Net Zero.
Created - 26/01/2024
Last Edited - 29/01/2024
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Supporting energy transition with major exceptions: Vermilion is emphasizing concerns over the technical or economic feasibility of a transition towards renewable energy, suggesting other energy sources are desirable. (Corporate Website, accessed September 2024)
While it is clear that intermittent solar and wind power will eventually form a substantial portion of the base load electricity in Germany, the switch to renewable electricity will be technically challenging. This is because solar and wind power are not dispatchable, meaning that wind turbines and solar panels cannot be turned on to match demand in the same way that supply can be ramped up from coal and nuclear plants. In addition, renewables such as solar and wind cannot contribute to meeting demand when the sun is not shining or no wind is blowing. Natural gas powered turbines are an ideal source of power generation to fill any gaps in Germany’s renewables based power supply. Unlike coal fired power plants, natural gas fired power plants are able to ramp up and down to meet demand requirements. Supplanting coal with natural gas also support’s Germany’s climate targets as only about half as much carbon is emitted when natural gas is burned versus hard coal while lignite, which is used intensively in Germany in large quantities, is three times more carbon intensive than natural gas. Accordingly, Germany’s energy plan calls for the increased use of natural gas as a bridge fuel (to be eventually replaced by sustainable biogas and hydrogen made from excess wind power and solar power) to complement renewables in meeting the country’s fluctuating power demands. In addition, natural gas requires no additional transmission infrastructure and would allow energy to be stored seasonally.Natural gas is expected to be used as a bridge fuel for several decades until achievement of a fully renewables powered future is economically and technologically feasible.
Created - 27/09/2024
Last Edited - 27/09/2024
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Advocating the continued role for coal without CCS in the energy mix; entity acknowledges a role for renewable energy and the need to phase down coal while supporting a long-term role for coal (Coal India, X, December 2023)
Shri P. M. Prasad, Chairman, #CoalIndia, emphasised the critical role of coal as the nation’s prime source of electricity during his address at the 74th All India Commerce Conference of the Indian Commerce Association, organised by University of Delhi. [...] He asserted that coal will remain the mainstay of India’s primary energy supply.Acknowledging the growing potential of renewable energy, he outlined a strategic plan for phasing down coal, taking into consideration the socio-economic effects on families reliant on coal mining.
Created - 26/02/2024
Last Edited - 26/02/2024
InfluenceMap Comment
Entity promoting a steep ramp up for the role for renewables in the global energy mix in line with IPCC guidance between 2020 and 2050. (Annual Report 2023, February 2024)