New Energy Needs New Policy

Politics not technology: what must change for the world to go 100% renewable by 2050

J.P. Casey, 15 July 2019 (Power Technology)

“…[With a surge in political will, and a desire to change the Earth’s energy habits across all levels of society, the] world can be entirely reliant on renewable energy sources by 2050, without significant technological advances…[Four and a half years of predictive modelling and analysis offered] a vision for the world where, by 2050, all human energy needs are met through renewable sources…[It does not require] a technological revolution, or insist on sudden social change…[T]he changes necessary to deliver a renewables-based future are not technological or industrial, but political and legislative…[G]overnments need to adopt national legislative acts that will ensure the swift uptake in the development of renewable energy, storage technologies, sector coupling, and smart energy systems…

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Frameworks should include favourable investment conditions for all actors, including businesses and communities…[Policymakers should impose] taxes on operations producing carbon, methane and radioactive waste, and parallel tariff laws to encourage investments…[I]nvestors are likely to see returns, with a renewable-driven future predicted to be cheaper than the present energy sector…[which should] attract support from a greater range of people, from traditional power executives and national governments to renewable start-ups…” click here for more

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