In its newness report World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that, to limit the increase in global temperature that is undermining energy security, the amount of electricity extracted from clean energy sources must double over the next eight years.
With the energy sector responsible for about 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, WMO director Petteri Taalas said the shift to cleaner energy production and improved energy efficiency – is ” It’s important if we want to thrive in the 21st century.”
“The goal is net zero by 2050. But we will only get there if we double our low-emission electricity supply within the next eight years.”
Fight against time
The 2022 Climate Service Statusincludes input from 26 different organisations, with a focus on energy – a key element in realizing international agreements on sustainable development, climate change and planetary health.
Access to reliable weather, water and climate information and services, which will be increasingly important to strengthen the resilience of energy infrastructure and meet growing demand, has increased 30% in the past ten years.
“Time is not on our side, and our climate is changing before our eyes”, said the head of WMO, calling for a “complete transformation of the global energy system”.
Energy security
Climate change directly affects fuel supply, energy production, and the physical resilience of current and future energy infrastructure.
Heat waves and droughts are putting existing energy production under strain, reducing fossil fuel emissions and shedding light on the impact of frequent extreme weather, water and climate events, and more intense becomes more and more important.
Increase adaptability
However, despite these risks, only 40% of climate action plans submitted by governments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) prioritizes adaptation in the energy sector – and the level of investment is correspondingly low.
The transition to renewable energy will help alleviate the growing strain on the water supply, as the amount of water used to generate electricity with solar and wind is much lower than in power plants. other traditional, using fossil fuels or nuclear.
However, countries’ current renewable energy commitments fall short of what is needed to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. by 2030, the WMO said.
Water stress
By 2020, 87% of global electricity will be generated from thermal, nuclear and hydroelectric systems, which are directly dependent on available water.
Meanwhile, located in areas of high water stress, 33% of thermal power plants rely on fresh water for cooling, about 11% of hydropower operations; and about 26% of hydroelectric dams.
And nuclear power plants, which depend on water for cooling, are also often located in coastal lowlands – making them vulnerable to rising sea levels and weather-driven flooding.
Renewable investment
To put the world on zero orbit by 2050, the report concludes that investments in renewable energy must triple by then.
However, the flow of international public finance into developing countries to support clean energy, has only decreased.
For the second year in a row, it fell in 2019, to $10.9 billion – 23% below the $14.2 billion offered in 2018 – and less than half of its peak of 24, $7 billion in 2017.
Focus on Africa
Africa is facing severe impacts from climate change, including major droughts. To meet energy and climate goals, in addition to a dramatic increase in resilience, investment in energy must double this decade, the WMO said.
The report says it now needs to pour $25 billion annually, or 1% of total global energy investment.
Meanwhile, Africa is home to about 60% of the world’s most solar-rich environments, and African countries have the opportunity to capitalize on that untapped potential and become major players in the market. future energy field.
Look forward
Climate services in the energy production sector, which may include gas and electric power purchasing planning; manage emergency responses; and optimizing power plants from renewable sources – especially reservoirs and hydroelectric operations.
In the energy sector, studies have demonstrated the economic value of very short-term, seasonal and sub-seasonal forecasts for fuel purchases.
Temperature forecasting allows for more accurate calculations allowing for optimal scheduling of power generation to meet demand at a lower cost.
Meanwhile, daily, weekly and seasonal rainfall and runoff forecasts are useful for optimizing hydropower operations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is demonstrating how heavily polluted cities can be transformed into well-planned, climate-resilient urban centers.
