Greener energy generation alone will not help us reach climate goals

Transport, buildings and industry need to start using lower carbon sources of energy now if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Transporting goods, heating buildings and manufacturing products all rely on fossil fuels. Without serious change now in these sectors, we will be 'locked in' to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for decades, say the authors of a new report. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, sets a target for global warming of well below 2°C, and potentially 1.5°C, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Many of the current plans to reach this goal revolve around making energy generation greener, for example by replacing coal and natural gas-fired power plants with wind and solar power. Green energy alone not enough. However the new study, published today and featuring Imperial College London researchers, shows cleaning up energy supply alone will not be enough on its own to reach the Paris Agreement goals.