IEA Presents "BLUE Map" for Reducing CO2 Emissions
International Energy Agency | May 2009
The financial and economic crisis appears to be a blessing for the
environment. Due to marginal growth,
short-term emission reduction goals can be achieved more easily. However, the
energy sector continues to produce 60% of global green house gas emissions. At
the same time investment in the energy sector is on the decline, due to
shrinking demand for new products as well as low energy prices. The International
Energy Agency (IEA) is therefore calling on all nations to take seriously the
challenges of climate change and clean energy, despite the crisis. The IEA has
proposed a "BLUE Map" strategy, according to which CO2 emissions can be reduced by 50% by 2050. Key aspects of the BLUE Map
are:
Improving Energy
Efficiency: Efficient energy use and energy
saving techniques offer the greatest potential for curbing emissions (36%). Above
all, such efforts require large political and organizational efforts.
Developing Renewable
Energies: The second largest amount of CO2 savings (21%) can be achieved through renewable
energies. By 2050 half of all power energy usage should come from renewable
sources (today it is 18%). The most regenerative energy sources are wind, photovoltaic,
biomass and water.
Increasing CO2 Sequestration (CCS): Due to the vast
number of existing industrial plants, any immediate attempt to cease using
fossil fuels makes very little economic sense. Therefore, the capture and
sequestration of CO2 is elemental for reducing green house gases. Beginning in 2020, 45 new
coal power plants and 25 new natural gas power plants of 500 MW should be
equipped with CCS systems yearly.
Changing Energy Sources: Nuclear
energy must play an important roll in reducing CO2 emissions. From 2005 to 2050 the international community must build 32
nuclear energy plants of 1,000 MW yearly. Additionally, the energy industry
must move away from coal to sources of energy that emit less CO2, like natural gas.
These targets can only be achieved through the
implementation of all four points. Thus, the crisis does not only present
obstacles but also chances. However, for such efforts to be effective state
measures, such as stimulus packages, must follow a long-term plan, including
the public financing of demonstration projects, more significant expenditures
for research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) of new
technology as well as strengthened international cooperation. The reduction of
green house gases will be costly for all, but sensibly developed stimulus
packages could reduce these costs. Additionally, investment in renewable energy
will create jobs.
This summary was prepared by the Atlantic Community editorial team from "Ensuring Green Growth in a Time of Economic Crisis: The Role of Energy Technology" published here by the International Energy Agency
