WORLD CAN HAVE 100% NEW ENERGY BY 2050 – WWF

A renewable energy system around the globe by 2050
3 February 2011 (Ecofys and World Wildlife Fund)

"A fully sustainable and renewable global energy system is possible by 2050. The Energy Report…by Ecofys and WWF, is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of such ambitions across the whole planet…

"For several reasons, the world will need an adapted energy system to accommodate its growing population. Climate change, depletion of natural resources and a growing dependence on only a few energy suppliers are a threat to our current system. Renewable sources such as solar energy, wind, hydro and bio-energy are necessary for a sustainable balance."

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"The Ecofys Energy Scenario – which is the basis for The Energy Report…[asks if] a fully sustainable global energy system possible by 2050…[based on] technical, social and economical developments in all energy carriers, all regions and all sectors of the global energy system.

"First, the scenario forecasts a future level of energy-consuming activities (e.g. tonnes of steel used), based on a growing population and a tripling of the world’s economy. These services would be delivered with a minimum of energy and material use…Second, the scenario ranks the sources to provide the energy for these activities based on sustainability. Energy from the sun, wind, water and heat from the earth’s crust are prioritised and will contribute to a further electrification of our society. Only once these options are exhausted is bio-energy deployed."

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"Renewable energy proves to be abundant. By utilising existing technologies alone and applying stringent sustainability criteria (e.g. on bio-energy sources), 95% of all energy can be renewable by 2050. Only certain manufacturing processes (e.g. steel, cement) will need specific properties of fossil fuels that cannot be substituted by renewable fuels yet.

"An important condition in the scenario is the development towards a sustainable standard of living around the world, based on increasing equity between different regions. Upfront financing will be required, but in the long term, benefits will outweigh costs…"