NFLA notes the McKinsey report on global energy perspectives – both the UK and Irish Governments need to take heed of it. The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) notes with interest the latest ‘Global Energy Perspectives’ report by the influential market intelligence group McKinsey. Their latest report outlines that the future decades will be dominated by rapid growth of the renewables sector over fossil fuel or nuclear power, but that the planet can only hit the IPCC target of keeping an increase in global temperatures of no more than 2 degrees Celsius through far reaching policies of government at all levels. The McKinsey report is one of the most influential overviews of global energy policy and it highlights that the world is going through one of the greatest periods of energy transition since the Industrial Revolution. A core finding of its 2019 report is that the ever-reducing costs of renewable energy means that many countries will reach a ‘tipping point’ in the coming five years in which new-build renewables will be cost- competitive with conventional power stations, leading to a rapid ramp-up of such technologies.
NFLA 5th March 2019 read more »
Discussions around climate change are in need of a new narrative that outlines the opportunities of a low-carbon transition, as renowned environmentalist Jeremy Leggett and Xynteo’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Philip Smith explain. To have a realistic chance of avoiding catastrophic climate change, we need to see greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions peaking by 2020 and heading into reverse (UNEP Emission Gap Report 2018). Yet the stark reality is that despite progress toward implementation of the Paris climate agreement and top-billing for climate at gatherings like the World Economic Forum, growth in emissions has resumed. We need to focus on linking the green economy with wellbeing for the many and make that the driver of the narrative for change. Our study showed that articles talking about pollution are shared 65% more than articles about renewable energy highlighting widespread anxiety about the tangible health impact of air pollution. We must build a positive narrative around the opportunities the green economy will bring for ordinary people, rather than centring the narrative on the need for emissions cuts – too easily repackaged by climate sceptics as a recipe for economic privation. Government and business should work together to drive jobs through investment in the green economy – a programme for a future-fit industrial renewal in Europe that benefits us all. Given the projected growth rates of clean energy, and the huge scope for renewable, smart, efficient, and transport-related technologies to work in synergistic harness, there is potential to create many millions of jobs in Europe in the years ahead.
Edie 7th March 2019 read more »
