Proven technology, economical viability and social acceptance show renewables are the future!
The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) – the global voice of associations, companies, academia and individuals involved in the bioenergy sector – calls upon the world leaders to show the political willingness to act now!!
Climate change is the major concern for the global society. The limiting of global warming to a rise of no more than 2°C above preindustrial levels is crucial to protect the ecosystem as a basis for human civilization. Up until now, fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) have been the main cause of global warming. The only solution is rapid replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy technologies and improved energy efficiency.
A step-by-step substitution of fossil fuels by renewable energies requires the rapid growth of all renewable energy sources and technologies such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and bioenergy. The next couple of decades are decisive in shaping the climate for the rest of the century.
The WBA sends the following message to the representatives of the governments meeting in Paris at the 21st Conference of Parties:
- Commit to reduce fossil fuel production and use: By 2035, the use of fossil fuels should be halved as compared to 2012 (to less than 230 EJ/year) in order to achieve the required greenhouse gas emissions reduction in line with the 2°C target. The increasing global energy demand can be satisfied with rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies and greater energy efficiency.
- Promote all renewable energy technologies: All renewable energy technologies in all regions and countries should be developed rapidly according to their specific regional potentials.
- Prepare and implement Renewable Energy Action Plans: On the global, continental, national and regional level, Renewable Energy Actions Plans should be developed in line with the targets mentioned above. These plans should detail how each country commits its energy policies toward conversion to renewables and greater energy efficiency.
- Carbon tax is the key: The key instrument to transform the energy system lies in gradual removal of fossil fuel subsidies and introducing carbon taxes in all countries.
- High use of renewable energy means high bioenergy: In most of the countries with a high share of renewables e.g. Sweden, Brazil; biomass is the dominant renewable energy source. For a successful deployment of bioenergy, special attention of the policy makers is essential as sustainable bioenergy can cover more than a quarter of energy needs in the future for countries.
- Various instruments needed for bioenergy: The versatility of bioenergy in the production of electricity, heat and transport biofuels at many scales and from various feedstock means that a collaboration of multiple stakeholders and policy instruments is required: agriculture and forestry sectors, capacity building, market development and carbon taxes.
- The future role of bioenergy
- Significant potential: Sustainable use of biomass can generate more than 140 EJ of energy annually to assist in meeting the 2°C target by 2035.
- Main bioenergy sectors: The use of bioenergy for heat (cooking, buildings, industries), biofuels in the transport sector and electricity generation via combined heat and power are the future markets for bioenergy.
- Stored energy: Biomass can help to solve the storage challenge in a cheap way. In close integration with other renewables, biomass can act as stored energy.
- Climate financing should only be for renewables: The potential amount of energy from renewable sources is more than the present global demand, and climate financing e.g. the Green Climate Fund (GCF) should be used only for financing renewable energy projects and promoting energy efficiency.
Download the call here (
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To know more about WBA activities at COP21, click
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