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Technical Summary

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2012

Thomas B. Johansson
Affiliation:
Lund University
Nebojsa Nakicenovic
Affiliation:
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and Vienna University of Technology
Anand Patwardhan
Affiliation:
Indian Institute of Technology
Luis Gomez-Echeverri
Affiliation:
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Doug J. Arent
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Rangan Banerjee
Affiliation:
Indian Institute of Technology
Sally M. Benson
Affiliation:
Stanford University
Daniel H. Bouille
Affiliation:
Bariloche Foundation
Abeeku Brew-Hammond
Affiliation:
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Aleh Cherp
Affiliation:
Central European University
Suani T. Coelho
Affiliation:
National Reference Center on Biomass, University of São Paulo
Lisa Emberson
Affiliation:
Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York
Maria Josefina Figueroa
Affiliation:
Technical University
Arnulf Grubler
Affiliation:
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria and Yale University
Kebin He
Affiliation:
Tsinghua University
Mark Jaccard
Affiliation:
Simon Fraser University
Suzana Kahn Ribeiro
Affiliation:
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Stephen Karekezi
Affiliation:
AFREPREN/FWD
Eric D. Larson
Affiliation:
Princeton University and Climate Central
Zheng Li
Affiliation:
Tsinghua University
Susan McDade
Affiliation:
United Nations Development Programme
Lynn K. Mytelka
Affiliation:
United Nations University-MERIT
Shonali Pachauri
Affiliation:
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Keywan Riahi
Affiliation:
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Johan Rockström
Affiliation:
Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm University
Hans-Holger Rogner
Affiliation:
International Atomic Energy Agency
Joyashree Roy
Affiliation:
Jadavpur University
Robert N. Schock
Affiliation:
World Energy Council, UK and Center for Global Security Research
Ralph Sims
Affiliation:
Massey University
Kirk R. Smith
Affiliation:
University of California
Wim C. Turkenburg
Affiliation:
Utrecht University
Diana Ürge-Vorsatz
Affiliation:
Central European University
Frank von Hippel
Affiliation:
Princeton University
Kurt Yeager
Affiliation:
Electric Power Research Institute and Galvin Electricity Initiative
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Summary

Introduction

Energy is essential for human development and energy systems are a crucial entry point for addressing the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, including sustainable economic, and social development, poverty eradication, adequate food production and food security, health for all, climate protection, conservation of ecosystems, peace, and security. Yet, more than a decade into the 21st century, current energy systems do not meet these challenges.

In this context, two considerations are important. The first is the capacity and agility of the players within the energy system to seize opportunities in response to these challenges. The second is the response capacity of the energy system itself, as the investments are long-term and tend to follow standard financial patterns, mainly avoiding risks and price instabilities. This traditional approach does not embrace the transformation needed to respond properly to the economic, environmental, and social sustainability challenges of the 21st century.

A major transformation is required to address these challenges and to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences for human and planetary systems. The GEA identifies strategies that could help resolve the multiple challenges simultaneously and bring multiple benefits. Their successful implementation requires determined, sustained, and immediate action.

The industrial revolution catapulted humanity onto an explosive development path, whereby reliance on muscle power and traditional biomass was replaced mostly by fossil fuels. In 2005, approximately 78% of global energy was based on fossil energy sources that provided abundant and ever cheaper energy services to more than half the world's population.

Type
Chapter
Information
Global Energy Assessment
Toward a Sustainable Future
, pp. 31 - 94
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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