“Renewables are good but they will never be able to provide 100% of the world`s energy supply.” This has been the discourse for the past years. Even a decade ago, cities, regions, and businesses aiming for 20% renewable energy were on the cutting edge. Anyone even suggesting a target of 100% renewable energy was a radical. Fast forward to today 100% renewable energy goals are becoming the new normal. And if one thinks that this transformation of the energy sector is only taking place in Europe, one will be surprised to see the developments in the US. [Read more →]

This week brings more scientific proof that the world is running out of cheap and abundant fossil and nuclear fuels. A new study from Energy Watch Group shows that fossil fuel production will peak by the end of this decade and that nuclear fuel will not have any significant influence on the subsequent energy gap. It is yet another call for a faster development of renewable energy technologies and the urgent need to soon shift to 100% renewable energies (RE) in all sectors. But how do we achieve this fossil free society? What are the rate limiting factors to disseminate the best practices that exist around the world?

An in-depth policy analysis of renewable energy frontrunner countries published by the World Future Council last week shows that of all the factors impacting the pace of large-scale RE advancement, none has proven to be more critical than national policies. [Read more →]

The future of renewable energies is a fundamental choice, not a foregone conclusion of technological and economic trends.

© World Future Energy Summit

This is one of the key messages of the Global Futures Report that REN21 launched in Abu Dhabi at the World Future Energy Summit. But the key question remains: Are we managing to make the right choice in time?

Along with 30,000 energy experts, the World Future Council and I start 2013 in Abu Dhabi at the first Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. While I am discussing the future of our energy system with representatives from governments, regulators, the private sector, international organisations and civil society, daily news remind and warn me of the huge challenges we are facing. [Read more →]