{"id":43479,"date":"2023-10-20T15:28:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/why-2050-renewable-energy-targets-and-tech-advancements-matter-today-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:28:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:28:52","slug":"why-2050-renewable-energy-targets-and-tech-advancements-matter-today-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/why-2050-renewable-energy-targets-and-tech-advancements-matter-today-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"Why 2050 renewable energy targets and tech advancements matter today – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Moonhack<\/div>\n

While much of the media focus at this month\u2019s climate meeting in Marrakech (COP22) was on US President-elect Donald Trump, there were signs that several countries have begun the long-term planning needed to avoid dangerous climate change.<\/p>\n

During the conference, four countries \u2013 Germany, Canada, Mexico and the United States \u2013 presented their 2050 climate plans.<\/p>\n

Under Article 4 of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, all countries are asked to prepare mid-century, long-term strategies to bring greenhouse gas emissions down to low levels.<\/p>\n

A common theme from COP22 was the emphasis on long-term strategies to help guide short-term actions.<\/p>\n

When launching the 2050 Pathways Platform, Laurence Tubiana, the outgoing French high-level climate champion, stated that if you don\u2019t have a plan for the long term, you can\u2019t know what a good decision is today.<\/p>\n

Climate change in 2050<\/h3>\n

The German Climate Action Plan 2050, approved by the German cabinet this month, foreshadows a reduction in greenhouse gases of up to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050.<\/p>\n

It covers energy, buildings, transport, industry, agriculture and land use, and sets specific milestones and targets for each sector.<\/p>\n

As part of its plan, the German government will set up a commission to work with industry and trade unions on the energy transition to 2050.<\/p>\n

The commission will consider economic development, structural change and social compatibility to accompany climate action.<\/p>\n

Australia could also consider such an approach to achieve a just transition to a net zero carbon economy.<\/p>\n

The United States Mid-Century Strategy sets out several different pathways by which the United States can cut emissions by at least 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 while maintaining a thriving economy.<\/p>\n

The pathways portray a transformation to a low-carbon energy system using solar, wind, nuclear, hydro and carbon capture.<\/p>\n

Under the plan, nearly all fossil fuel plants without carbon capture are to be phased out by 2050.<\/p>\n

The plan also shows that the land sector in the United States could sequester 23-45% of economy-wide emissions in 2050 by expanding forests and increasing the carbon stored in croplands and grasslands.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s long-term plan aims to reduce emissions by 80% or more below 2005 levels by 2050.<\/p>\n

Mexico will reduce its emissions by 50% from 2000 levels.<\/p>\n

Both plans outline detailed pathways for achieving these emissions reductions.<\/p>\n

To support countries, states, cities and businesses to prepare long-term low-emission plans, the 2050 pathways platform initiative was launched at Marrakech.<\/p>\n

Already 22 countries have started to formulate 2050 plans, including China and India, as have many states, cities and businesses.<\/p>\n

New policies and technology<\/h3>\n

Developing a long-term plan helps identify the policy measures and technological advancements that are needed now.<\/p>\n

To this end, Marrakech also hosted the first Low-Emission Solutions Conference associated with a climate congress.<\/p>\n

The conference brought together technical experts, scientists, academics, business and politicians to brainstorm and exchange information about the technological and policy pathways needed to reach net zero carbon emissions.<\/p>\n

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network director, Professor Jeff Sachs, told the conference that we need more than political will to make this transition.<\/p>\n

We need to mobilise scientists, engineers and experts to identify what the new energy and economic system will look like and to devise pathways to a net zero carbon economy.<\/p>\n

This will help businesses to identify risks and opportunities and help governments not to waste money on technologies that are not compatible with the long-term goal.<\/p>\n

The four pillars of decarbonisation<\/h3>\n

The conference highlighted the four basic elements of deep decarbonisation.<\/p>\n

These also underpin the Australian Deep Decarbonisation Pathway Plan developed by ClimateWorks and ANU.<\/p>\n

First, there needs to be ambitious energy efficiency across the economy.<\/p>\n

This includes \u201csmart grid\u201d technologies, green buildings and greater fuel economy in vehicles.<\/p>\n

Second, we need zero-carbon electricity supplied by renewables or a mix of renewables, nuclear and carbon capture and storage.<\/p>\n

The contributions of each of these to the energy mix will depend on country circumstances and on whether carbon capture can be made commercial.<\/p>\n

Third, we need a shift to electrification using zero-carbon electricity.<\/p>\n

This means using electricity to power vehicles and switching from gas to electricity in homes.<\/p>\n

Finally, non-energy emissions are reduced by storing more carbon in forests and land as well as reducing methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases from agriculture, waste and industry.<\/p>\n

The Australian government has committed to review its climate policies next year and to consider a long-term emissions reduction target.<\/p>\n

This is an opportunity for Australia to use these four elements of deep decarbonisation and join other countries in preparing a 2050 deep decarbonisation plan.<\/p>\n

Already, South Australia, Victoria, NSW and the ACT have pledged a target of zero net emissions by 2050, with South Australia and the ACT signing the UN\u2019s Under 2MOU (a memorandum between states and regions to keep global warming below 2\u2103).<\/p>\n

A number of states, including Queensland, have also set ambitious renewable energy targets.<\/p>\n

2050 may seem a long way off in the short time frame that dominates so much of modern politics.<\/p>\n

By 2050 Donald Trump will be 104 and presumably will exert limited influence over global politics.<\/p>\n

However, it is worth noting that the children entering our schools next February will still be in their thirties in 2050.<\/p>\n

They will have a real interest in ensuring that we start planning for their future and taking action now.<\/p>\n

This article was originally published on The Conversation. <\/em><\/p>\n

Follow StartupSmart on<\/em> Facebook,<\/em> Twitter, LinkedIn and iTunes. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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