Greenpeace Releases Blueprint for a Global Renewable Energy Future

A new report released by Greenpeace International provides a detailed scenario for our global energy future that describes how governments can create 12 million jobs by 2030 (8.5 million in the renewable energy sector alone), achieve nearly 100% renewable energy globally by 2050, and prevent future oil disasters by ending our addiction to fossil fuels.

For example, enough sunlight hits the Earth to provide six times more power than we currently use.  Even though only a percentage of that sunlight is technically accessible, the potential highlights the wealth of renewable energy resources available to us.

The report provides a compelling financial case for implementing the Energy [R]evolution.  Analysis reveals that the financial savings until 2030 outlined in the report reach a total of US$6.5 trillion, or US$282 billion per year, and the investments required to achieve these savings are less than the costs associated with business as usual.

The report provides a policy framework for governments to phase out fossil fuels, reduce carbon emissions, and increase energy security and affordability.

The report’s number one policy recommendation is to phase out all subsidies for fossil fuels and nuclear energy.  The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates annual worldwide energy subsidies to be about US$300 billion, or 0.7% of global GDP.  According to UNEP, phasing out these subsidies could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 6% a year, while contributing 0.1% to global GDP.

The Greenpeace report was produced in partnership with the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and over 30 scientists and engineers from universities, institutes and the renewable energy industry around the world.