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Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

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Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation
Cover
AuthorOttmar Edenhofer
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
SubjectClimate change mitigation, renewable energy
PublisherCambridge University Press
Publication date
May 9, 2011
ISBN9789291691319
OCLC776940700

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a special report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN) on May 9, 2011.[1][2] The report developed under the leadership of Ottmar Edenhofer evaluates the global potential for using renewable energy to mitigate climate change. This IPCC special report provides broader coverage of renewable energy than was included in the IPCC’s 2007 climate change assessment report, as well as stronger renewable energy policy coverage.[3]

Renewable energy can contribute to "social and economic development, energy access, secure energy supply, climate change mitigation, and the reduction of negative environmental and health impacts". Under favourable circumstances, cost savings in comparison to non-renewable energy use exist.[2]

History

Previously the IPCC examined both renewable energy and energy efficiency in its fourth assessment report, published in 2007, but members decided that renewable energy commercialization merits additional in-depth coverage because of its importance in reducing carbon emissions.[4]

The outline of the IPCC WG III’s Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN) was approved at the IPCC Plenary in Budapest in April, 2008. The final report was approved at the 11th session of the IPCC Working Group III, May 2011, in Abu Dhabi. The SRREN addresses the information needs of policy makers, private sector and civil society in a comprehensive way and will provide valuable information for further IPCC publications, including the upcoming IPCC 5th Assessment Report. The SRREN was released for publication on May 9, 2011.[5]

The Special Report "aims to provide a better understanding and broader information on the mitigation potential of renewable energy sources: technological feasibility, economic potential and market status, economic and environmental costs&benefits, impacts on energy security, co-benefits in achieving sustainable development, opportunities and synergies, options and constraints for integration into the energy supply systems and in the societies".[6]

Main findings

Renewable energy can contribute to "social and economic development, energy access, secure energy supply, climate change mitigation, and the reduction of negative environmental and health impacts". Under favourable circumstances, cost savings in comparison to non-renewable energy use exist.[2] The report notes that:

...government policies play a crucial role in accelerating the deployment of renewable technologies. Under most conditions, increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix will require policies to stimulate changes in the energy system.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Harvey, Fiona (2011-05-09). "Renewable energy can power the world, says landmark IPCC study". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  2. ^ a b c "Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation". Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Archived from the original on 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
  3. ^ a b REN21 (2011). "Renewables 2011: Global Status Report" (PDF). p. 51.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Scoping Paper: IPCC Special Report
  5. ^ Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation
  6. ^ IPCC Activities
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