There is still a long way to go in the world clean energy transformation

Recently, the Chinese Biological Diversity Protection and Green Development Foundation (referred to as China Green Fair and Green Club) of the Green Scenery Nature Protection Working Group learned from the UNITED National Environment Program (UNEP): According to the latest "renewable energy source Renewables 2022 Global Status Report ", the global energy transformation of the post -epidemic era did not occur. In response, Niklas Hagelberg, an expert in the UN Environmental Planning Agency, interviewed and gave his views. The interviews are compiled as follows, and readers who are interested in reference.

(Source: UNEP)

Some predictions point out that the green recovery of the post -epidemic era will make countries better return to the right track, while driving economic growth and creating employment. But the latest "Renewable Energy Research Global Status Report" depicts a completely different picture. According to this report, the global energy transformation that the world expects has not happened at all. The economic rebound we have experienced at present has led to an increase of 4%of global energy demand, which is mainly met with fossil fuel. At the same time, the energy prices brought by soaring further intensified this demand. Last year, renewable energy achieved the greatest success in the power department. But this report shows that we have not used enough renewable energy to meet family heating and refrigeration. At the same time, the industrial sector is still the largest energy user, and its energy demand accounts for more than one -third of the world. In contrast, the energy transformation of the transportation industry has progressed slowly.

We interviewed the UN Environmental Planning Agency's climate change coordinator Nicholas Hagelberg to learn more about the global energy crisis and how to transform to the energy -saving economy.

In this year's report, a clear warning shows that the global energy transformation has not occurred. What can the state, company and other stakeholders do to accelerate this transformation?

Nicholas Hagelberg: This is indeed very worrying. Even in some energy industries with corresponding cost -saving measures, we have not seen the decline in emissions. In order to accelerate the transformation, each household and company need to steering from renewable energy, the heating and refrigeration of energy consumption, and low -carbon transportation methods. However, if the government does not allow the infrastructure quickly, and invest in renewable energy production to ensure that the interoperability between the grids and make it easier, this cannot be achieved at the required speed. Therefore, the government must significantly reduce the permission process on the construction of renewable energy. At the same time, we also need to support the energy change of heating and refrigeration and the transportation industry. As the German railway company does in summer, reducing public transportation charges is a good example. In this example, we can almost avoid traffic emissions.

What is the risk of delaying energy transformation?

Nicholas Hagelberg: Energy is related to about 70%of the world's emissions, so it is important to transform to low -carbon energy forms. Without fast energy transformation, we cannot maintain the temperature target of the Paris Agreement. Political commitment, national strategy and legislation are essential for transformation. But in the end, the transformation is attributed to actual emissions, and it needs to immediately reach its peak and gradually decline. In the transition period, the longer we delay, the higher the cost and damage cost of society, companies, individuals and governments.

The report found that renewable energy and fuel investment increased for the fourth consecutive year to $ 366 billion. The growth of global power generation has led to solar energy and wind energy to provide more than 10%of electricity for the world for the first time. These sound like an impressive achievement. However, why is renewable energy transformation still not on track?

Nicholas Hagelberg: This sounds good. The investment that can be attracted by renewable energy power generation facilities is far beyond fossil fuel or nuclear power plant, and renewable energy accounts for 69%of the total amount of new power generation commitments in 2021. Therefore, we should spend some time back and forth. However, this progress is not enough and does not match the growth of overall global energy demand. In order to return to the right track, we need to increase the speed of energy conversion. In addition, the continuous subsidy of fossil fuel is a key reason for the transformation that has not been carried out as needed. From 2018 to 2020, governments spent $ 18 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies (7%of global GDP in 2020), which also reduced support for renewable energy in some cases. We don't need to cancel some subsidies, but we really have to turn to renewable energy.

What industries do you think will have the greatest impact on renewal energy transformation?

Nicholas Hagelberg: All!By 2030, we need to minimize the amount of emissions, which means that all industries that use energy heating, refrigeration and lighting facilities, as well as manufacturing and transportation products must take action.Take a case with a specific scale. By 2050, we are expected to increase more than 1 billion cars, and almost all cars will belong to low -income countries.In order to ensure that this will not increase emissions, we must support bicycles, walking, public transportation and switching to electric vehicles.The UN Environment Agency took the lead in supporting the goal of the Paris Agreement, that is, the global temperature rose remained at a level of below 2 ° C. Compared with industrialization, it was 1.5 ° C.In this regard, the UN Environment Agency has formulated a six -industry solution, which is based on the promise of the Paris Agreement and reducing the roadmap emitted by departments to pursue climate stability.The six industries currently determined are: energy; industrial agriculture and food; forest and land use; transportation, construction and cities.Organize: Zeng Chuchao

Review: daisy, lucy

Edit: Pierre

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