Accelerating Decarbonization of the U.S. Energy System (2021) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
1 Motivation to Accelerate Deep Decarbonization
1 Motivation to Accelerate Deep Decarbonization
Pages 33-54
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 33... ...
. This is why so many nations, states, cities, and companies have committed to replacing our current energy system by midcentury with a system that would emit zero net anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs)
|
From page 34... ...
S . E N E R G Y S Y S T E M BOX 1.1 CURRENT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Global anthropogenic emissions of all greenhouse gases (GHGs)
|
From page 35... ...
However, because this interim report focuses on actions that would be needed in the next 10 years to keep the nation on a 30-year path to net zero, its findings are also relevant to any deep decarbonization effort that would substantially reduce emissions over more than 10 years. Notably, the task statement does not pose the question of whether climate impacts of fossil emissions justify deep decarbonization, but rather charges the committee to analyze and understand alternative decarbonization pathways.
|
From page 36... ...
• Technology research, development, and deployment at scale -- What are the technological challenges and opportunities for achieving deep decarbonization, including in challenging activities like air travel and heavy industry; what research, development, and demonstration efforts can accelerate the technologies; how can financing and capital effectively support decarbonization; and what are key metrics for tracking progress in deployment and scale up of technologies and key measurements for tracking emissions? • Social, institutional, and behavioral dimensions -- What are the societal, institutional, behav ioral, and equity drivers and implications of deep decarbonization; how do the impacts of deep decarbonization differ across states, regions, and urban versus rural areas and how can equity issues be identified and the uneven distribution of impacts be addressed; what is the role of the private sector in achieving emissions reductions, including companies' influence on their external supply chains; what are the economic opportunities associated with deep decarbonization; and what are the workforce and human capital needs?
|
From page 37... ...
The committee studied how alternative policies, all of which could achieve net zero, would differentially affect other national objectives. Its membership was formulated by the National Academies to encompass a diversity of perspectives and expertise, including expertise in economics, the natural sciences, energy technology, political science, public policy, the social dimensions of technological change, labor, geography, and environmental justice.
|
From page 38... ...
In addition to climate change, fossil emissions are responsible for the majority of air pollution, which kills millions every year globally. Annual deaths linked to fossil fuels in the United States alone have been estimated as high as 200,000 (Caizzo et al., 2013; Lelieveld et al., 2019)
|
From page 39... ...
These communities have disproportionately large exposure to pollution from energy infrastructure, but receive a disproportionately small share of energy revenues, and have comparatively little say in decision making that shapes local energy services and 39
|
From page 40... ...
Because energy use affects so many aspects of people's lives, a three-decade transition to net zero simply cannot be achieved without the development and maintenance of a strong social contract. This includes support for a carbon tax, clean energy standard for electricity, electrification of vehicles and buildings, and the founding of a Green Bank and National Transition Corporation.
|
From page 41... ...
. Hydropower, energy storage, bioenergy, geothermal, nuclear energy, and FIGURE 1.1 Selected renewable energy generation technologies are cost-competitive with conventional generation technologies under certain circumstances (e.g., solar can be more expensive than natural gas and coal when installed on rooftops, but is cheaper than both when it is thin film utility scale)
|
From page 42... ...
Technological advances are being made in "clean firm" resources, such as advanced modular nuclear reactors, natural gas with CCS, and carbon-free fuels, which can provide a base for dependable electricity that can work in concert with renewables and energy storage to manage demand peaks and weather events. Research and development (R&D)
|
From page 43... ...
Energy Policy With the right policies to guide it, the transition to net zero would restore U.S. leadership in energy technology, manufacturing, and climate policy, and add high-quality jobs and improved energy access to the U.S.
|
From page 44... ...
The United States should attempt to claw these industrial sectors and markets back, so that it leads the world both in innovation and in the manufacturing and commercialization of advanced clean energy technologies. Surging from behind to win the race will require an integrated national strategy, involving a mix of innovation and smart industrial policy (see Chapter 4 for details)
|
From page 45... ...
A high-quality job entails, at a minimum, a safe and secure working environment, family-sustaining wages3 and comprehensive benefits, regular schedules and hours, and skills-development opportunities that enable wage advancement and career development (United Way Worldwide, 2012; AFL-CIO, 2017; ILO, 2020) .The United States will also need robust educational and workforce training and development programs for the clean energy sector across a wide array of diverse technology and business domains.
|
From page 46... ...
S . E N E R G Y S Y S T E M Ultimately, the goal of decarbonization policy should be to develop a comprehensive, integrated approach to a clean energy transition that ensures that the U.S.
|
From page 47... ...
The goals include significant increases in energy efficiency through electrification of transport and heating and changes to buildings and industry, which would reduce the demand for energy rather than the demand for energy services. The committee was not confident in its ability to design policy that would both attract public support and achieve the behavioral changes required for a significant reduction in the demand for energy services.
|
From page 48... ...
Although the statement of task focuses on CO2, the committee briefly summarizes actions required to reduce methane, N2O, and fluorinated gas emissions in the three end-use sectors and to offset remaining emissions of these gases with forestry and agricultural carbon sinks in the Addendum on Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases and in Box 2.1, both in Chapter 2. The final report will address the forestry and agricultural policies required to produce and sustain the needed CO2 sinks.
|
From page 49... ...
Nonetheless, there is general agreement that economic recovery packages designed to promote clean energy policies and investments are critical for achieving deep decarbonization and also provide opportunities to increase equity and sustainability (IEA, 2020a; Climate Action Tracker, 2020)
|
From page 50... ...
commitment to a rapid, just, and equitable transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy. A partial list includes the adoption of a national GHG emissions budget; an economy-wide price on GHG emissions; a federal effort to monitor and evaluate equity impacts of net zero policies; and a National Transition Corporation to mitigate job losses and ensure equitable access to economic opportunities during the transition.
|
From page 51... ...
A partial list includes a tripling of the nation's RD&D budget for clean energy; a Green Investment Bank; regulatory reform and incentives required to augment the nation's electrical transmission network, particularly over long distances; a national CO2 transportation network, with characterization and permitting of geologic storage reservoirs; an interstate EV charging network; upgrades in the electric grid; a comprehensive educa tion and training program ranging from the vocational to the doctoral level to prepare the needed workforce; and incentives and loan guarantees to revitalize U.S. clean energy manufacturing, which are tied to labor standards and equity and inclusion goals.
|
From page 52... ...
2014. The Globalization of Clean Energy Technology: Lessons from China (Urban and Industrial Environments)
|
From page 53... ...
2018. The High Cost of Energy in Rural America: Household Energy Burdens and Opportunities for Energy Efficiency.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.