Amsterdam, 11 November 2012 – The IEA’s latest World Energy Outlook, released today, shows that with current levels of government ambition, about half of the new energy added to electricity grids between now and 2035 will come from renewable energy. This is significantly under the increase needed to avoid catastrophic climate change and much more work is needed in the area of energy efficiency.Sven Teske, energy campaigner with Greenpeace International, made the following statement in reaction to the IEA energy outlook:
“Governments must heed the IEA’s call to remove barriers to energy saving technologies, which the IEA estimates could cut global demand for energy by almost a fifth by 2035. In addition, government ambition on developing renewable energy is seriously inadequate if they are to meet their promises to hold the average global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius. Renewable energy must grow to 65% of electricity production and energy efficiency must increase by 2035 to reduce the impact of climate change. Otherwise, based on this forecast, the world is still headed for a catastrophic temperature increase of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius.
“Without increased ambition on renewables, the IEA shows that almost 700 new, dirty coal-fired power plants could be developed by 2025, a disaster for the climate and for precious water resources.”
Context:
The IEA’s new policy scenario, the main analytical scenario underpinning its World Energy Outlook, shows that by 2035:
• Global electricity consumption would grow by 15,000 TWh with 7,000 TWh covered by renewables.
• 3,400 TWh of wind and solar powered generation would be added, more than the entire electricity consumption of the European Union.
The Greenpeace Energy [R]evolution 2012 scenario for replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, shows:
• Double the new renewables of the IEA forecast are required, coupled with increased energy efficiency, to address climate change adequately,
• Renewable energy can reach 65% of global electricity production with the right government programmes and incentives.