Meeting Global Challenges German-U.S. Innovation Policy: Summary of a Symposium (2012) / Chapter Skim
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Panel VII: Policies and Programs for CO2 Reduction
Panel VII: Policies and Programs for CO2 Reduction
Pages 127-139
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From page 127... ...
The targets for 2050 are far more ambitious, and very close to a low-carbon economy. The call for an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that, she said, could be accomplished through substantial investments in renewable energy and smart grids, and greater focus on energy efficiency, and transportation, especially electromobility.
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From page 128... ...
In addition to the 80 percent reduction in GHGs, it envisions an 80 percent share of renewable energy in electricity generation and a 50 percent reduction in primary energy consumption by 2050. A particular priority area has always been energy efficiency in buildings, where most EU countries currently lag.
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From page 129... ...
While cities cover only about 1 percent of the earth's surface, for example, they generate 75 percent of global energy demand and about 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide. By the year 2050, approximately 70 percent of the world population will live in cities.
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From page 130... ...
Some 20 experts, including electrical engineers, city planners, transportation engineers, and sociologists, worked for three months with political decision makers and experts from industry and presented their result to the public in November 2010. It was published in the leading German newspaper, Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung, where it was called "a green dream." The Tomorrow-town vision addressed major features of city life, including energy, transportation, city planning, spaces, and decision making.
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From page 131... ...
Heat is generated from sewage water, and biogas from sewage treatment produces electricity; gray water irrigates community gardens. The city is a place of short distances and higher quality of living.
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From page 132... ...
CARBON REDUCTION POLICIES Charles Ebinger Director, Energy Security Initiative The Brookings Institution Dr. Ebinger began by "setting the stage" on a paramount feature of any discussion of energy, which is very rapid global change.
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From page 133... ...
Instead, the president supported a national clean energy standard that focuses almost exclusively on renewables, particularly wind, solar, and biomass. The National Clean Energy Standard takes a much broader view of energy and includes not only renewables, but also nuclear energy, hydropower, natural gas, and clean coal.
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From page 134... ...
One of the most controversial government measures was to allow the Environmental Protection Administration authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. "This was anathema to many Republicans in Congress, and it will probably end up going to the Supreme Court," he said.
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From page 135... ...
While only one new plant is under construction, the administration continues to say that nuclear energy is important to meeting its goal." What is likely to happen, Dr. Ebinger said, is change at the state and local levels "where we're seeing a lot of activity." Some 30 states already have renewable portfolio standards, while the federal government does not, and many more are studying them.
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From page 136... ...
After that, human activities began to influence climate dynamics, chiefly by releasing fossil carbons. "What we clearly can see," he said, "is that GHGs related to human activity, especially from fossil fuels, is relevant to climate dynamics.
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From page 137... ...
Mitigation has been studied by many people at different scales. Proposals have included the Kyoto Protocol, the Integrated Energy and Climate Program, use of renewable energy sources, and carbon capture and sequestration.
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From page 138... ...
Germany will use more natural gas, and examine clean shale gas and clean coal. It will address not just the question of carbon capture and sequestration, but also whether CO2 can be used as a raw material for methanol.
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From page 139... ...
PROCEEDINGS 139 buck" by "paying our poor American friends to lower their carbon footprint to our German level" rather than trying to lower the level in Germany to zero. The moderator responded that when Germany has "such an ambitious goal" as to lower its emissions to zero, it can help foster innovation through new technological solutions; these can then be exported to other parts of the world.
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