Energy Systems

Actions are required at every level: government, private sector and the public.

  • Commit to more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions and support market-based strategies that speed the transition to renewable energy and improvements in energy efficiency.
  • Set national and sub-national decarbonization and net-zero carbon targets.
  • Remove fossil fuel subsidies in a socially acceptable manner, stop the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and plan for a just fossil fuel phase-out.
  • Remove barriers to the more rapid expansion of renewables; adapt the electricity system’s market rules, allow production for own use, accelerate planning and provision of sites, remove bureaucratic hurdles, regulate grid access and connection, and educate workers.
  • Utilise a diverse variety of renewable energy sources.
  • Set decarbonization and net-zero carbon targets for your companies, divest holdings in fossil fuel companies and phase out unabated coal and gas generation.
  • Monitor and reduce your company’s energy usage and take action to improve energy efficiency.
  • Steeply accelerate the share of zero-carbon power in electricity generation; it should be between 65 and 92 per cent by 2030, and between 98 and 100 per cent by 2050.
  • Adapt grid/storage and demand management.
  • Ensure reliable energy access for all. Currently, 10 per cent of the world’s population has no access to electricity and over 40 per cent has unreliable access.
  • Reduce your energy consumption by applying simple changes: seal windows and doorsteps, avoid thermic bridges, install double glass glazing, use LED bulbs, invest in high inertia radiators.
  • Produce your own energy if possible by installing small scale installations such as solar panels to power your home.
  • If possible, choose utilities and operators committed to decarbonization and energy efficiency.
  • Urge your politicians to propose and vote for ambitious policies for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
  • Investigate national, regional and local incentive programmes (rebates, tax incentives, low interest rate loans) for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
  • Advocate that investments or pension funds move towards clean energy and consider disinvestment from those not taking action.

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Industry

Actions are required at every level: government, private sector and the public.

  • Plan a just transformation at the national level and ensure regional planning and regulation.
  • Incentivize and mandate less emissions of greenhouse gases, including cutting methane leaks.
  • Promote the use of efficient and renewable heating, cooling, electrification, circular material flow.
  • Support zero carbon industrial processes and ensure the standards used in the design of infrastructure are robust in the face of future climate change impacts.
  • Support alternative carbon pricing mechanisms, low-carbon products, research and innovation.
  • Promote climate-resilient industry practices through tools such as regulatory standards, and vulnerability maps, combined with a strong communication drive to ensure the private sector is aware of climate risks, projections and uncertainties.
  • Scale up research and development to create new options for low-carbon industrial processes, use new fuels and innovative solutions.
  • Understand new market opportunities arising from climate change that allow companies to develop a first-mover advantage over competitors.
  • Audit the energy use and resource efficiency of your operations to identify cost-effective high-impact reductions and understand your exposure to climate risk and take precautions. Incorporate climate vulnerability assessments business plans and future investments.
  • Reduce demand and enhance access to energy-efficient, material-efficient and carbon-neutral materials, scale up energy efficiency.
  • Increase water-use efficiency to protect water resources and thereby enhance adaptation.
  • Rethink your needs and aspirations: Consider what you need and what impacts your purchases have on the planet and buy products that will last longer, be used multiple times, and are intended to be in use for as long as possible before being remanufactured or recycled.
  • Avoid consuming products that use excessive amounts of water in the production process.
  • Recommend and buy from companies that provide spare parts to repair, that offer take-back services, or that use recycled materials in production.
  • Ask companies and governments for information about how they produce and source both goods and services; read up on their commitments to sustainable production and practices and support the ones that adopt sustainable and circular practices.

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