Achieving a Sustainable Global Energy System: Identifying Possibilities Using Long-Term Energy Scenarios

by Leo Schrattenholzer, Asami Miketa, Keywan Riahi, Richard Alexander Roehrl

Overview

Sustainable development and global climate change have figured prominently in scientific analysis and international policymaking since the early 1990s. This book formulates technology strategies that will lead to environmentally sustainable energy systems, based on an analysis of global climate change issues using the concept of sustainable development. The authors focus on environmentally compatible, long-term technology developments within the global energy system, while also considering aspects of economic and social sustainability.

The authors analyze a large number of alternative scenarios and illustrate the differences between those that meet the criteria for sustainable development and those that do not. As a result of their analysis, they identify a variety of promising socio-economic and environmental development paths that are consistent with sustainable development. One sustainable-development scenario and its policy implications are then presented in detail from a technology change perspective. The authors propose ambitious targets for technology adoption that are judged to achieve the desired socio-economic and environmental goals. Although the optimal policy mix to pursue these targets is clearly country-specific, the authors suggest that energy-related R&D that leads to technology performance improvements and the promotion of technology adoption in niche markets are the policy options which will yield the most significant long-term benefits.

Policymakers, economists and researchers working on sustainability, energy economics, and technology change and innovation will welcome this topical and highly readable book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781843769231
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	01/26/2005
Series:	ESRI Studies Series on the Environment
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

The late Leo Schrattenholzer, formerly of International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria, Asami Miketa, Department of Nuclear Energy, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Austria, Keywan Riahi, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria and Richard Alexander Roehrl, United Nations (UN/ESA/ESCAP), Thailand

With contributions from Manfred Strubegger, Gerhard Totschnig and Bing Zhu

Table of Contents

Contents: Foreword Preface 1. Sustainable Development and Climate Change 2. Methodology 3. Energy–Economy–Environment Scenarios at IIASA-ECS 4. Technology Clusters 5. A Sustainable–Development Scenario in Detail 6. Summary and Policy Implications Index