Rising energy demand and efforts to address climate change require a significant increase in low-carbon electricity generation. Yet, concern has been raised that rapid investment in some novel technologies could cause a new set of environmental problems.
This is a summary of the key findings of the International Resource Panel (IRP) report Green Energy Choices: The Benefits, Risks and Trade-Offs of Low-Carbon Technologies for Electricity Production which aims to support policy-makers in making choices about the technologies, infrastructures and energy sources. It does so through an analysis of the mainstream commercially available renewable and non-renewable power generation technologies3, analysing their GHG mitigation potential, but also tradeoffs in terms of: Environmental impacts (impacts on ecosystems, eutrophication and acidification, etc.) Human health impacts (particulates and toxicity) Resource use implications (iron, copper, aluminium, cement, energy, water and land).
The report provides a comprehensive comparison of a range of technologies, including coal and gas with and without CO2 capture and storage (CCS), photovoltaic power, concentrated solar power, hydropower, geothermal, and wind power. It takes a life-cycle perspective, covering the production of the equipment and fuel, the operation of the power plants and their dismantling.
The work of the IRP represents the first in-depth international comparative assessment of the environmental, health and resource impacts of these different energy technologies, and is the work of an international scientific and technical experts team.
This literature review assesses the extent to which developing countries can make the transition towards low or lower patterns of growth. It explores the potential impacts of climate change on economic growth and the investment needs for increasing growth resilience.
This year, for the first time ever, nearly all of the world’s countries are making pledges to help limit future climate change. As of 1 October 2015, 147 countries (representing about 85% of global emissions) have submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions.
At a time when extreme weather events are coming with increasing frequency—and an increased price tag for clean-up—cash-strapped governments are seeking new solutions to build climate resilience. A new World Economic Forum Report offers some hope.
A decent environmental quality is a necessary condition for survival of humankind in general and human development in particular. Environmental pollution is a great challenge in developing countries, where especially the poorest are most likely to suffer.