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The pressing global challenge of climate change necessitates a concerted effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide. A critical pathway is to replace fossil fuel sources by electrification, including transportation. While electrification of light-duty vehicles is rapidly expanding, the heavy-duty vehicle sector is subject to challenges, notably the logistical drawbacks of the size and weight of high-capacity batteries required for range, as well as the time for battery charging. This Perspective highlights the potential of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles as a viable alternative for heavy-duty road transportation. We evaluate the implications of hydrogen integration into the freight economy, energy dynamics, and CO2 mitigation, and envision a roadmap for a holistic energy transition.Our critical opinion presented in this Perspective is that federal incentives to produce hydrogen could foster growth in the nascent hydrogen economy. The pathway that we propose is that initial focus on operators of large fleets that could control their own fueling infrastructure. This opinion was formed from private discussions with numerous stakeholders during the formation of one of the awarded hydrogen hubs if they focus on early adopters that could leverage the hydrogen supply chain.

In the context of Europe's efforts towards decarbonization, this paper introduces a novel framework for Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), validated with multiple case studies from Italy's practice. Drawing on established concepts and an extensive literature review, the framework identifies key pillars supporting its model. The paper delineates the essential features defining the conceptual model of RECs, offering a process-oriented perspective. This model serves as a tool to assess the success of existing RECs comprehensively and provides a structured pathway for the development of new projects across different countries, fostering replication within communities. An overarching framework is presented as a solution to enhance the effective utilization of renewable energy sources. Buildings, and the communities of people who live in them are considered primary energy consumers and direct beneficiaries of a REC framework. Consequently, an original pathway for the mass renovation of buildings located in highly populated areas, from the energy sources perspective, is provided.

Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are cornerstone tools in guiding decarbonization policies. However, the petrochemical sector, which is crucial to the future of oil and gas due to its non-energy fossil feedstock demands, has been overlooked in IAMs. This study aims to evaluate the implications of this under-representation on decarbonization strategies. We assessed the Illustrative Mitigation Pathways from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Sixth Assessment Report. Our analysis indicates that, without stringent material policies, the feedstock demand can reach unattainable levels from 2050 onwards. This is evidenced by the required disruptive yields of primary oil in feedstocks, which exceed 80 % in some cases. The findings highlight the necessity for improved modelling of the petrochemical sector within IAMs.

Climate change is driving the need for new approaches to energy production and utilization globally, contributing to the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Low-emission hydrogen is recognized as a key energy vector for decarbonization, and numerous countries are currently evaluating strategies and roadmaps for its integration. Colombia, with its abundant renewable resources, is poised as a potential player in hydrogen production. This study presents a techno-economic assessment of hydrogen pathways and their cross-sectoral interactions within the Colombian energy system. By employing an open energy system optimization framework (OSeMOSYS), we modelled a detailed supply-demand hydrogen chain and analysed a series of scenarios from 2021 to 2050, including a sensitivity analysis. Our results show that hydrogen pathways will require 2–6.4 Mt/year in hydrogen production, 8–27 GW in new installed capacity, and US$50–80 billion in investments, with favourable impacts in GHG mitigation, energy imports, and socioeconomic benefits. We use these findings to suggest an update to the targets of the current National Hydrogen Roadmap focused on a higher ambition to deploy a full hydrogen economy. Our open methodology provides a valuable tool for conducting further assessments in developing countries interested in defining low-emission hydrogen roadmaps.

Portugal made a climate commitment when it ratified the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. As a result, Portugal, along with other EU members, has created a national roadmap for the deployment of hydrogen as a crucial component of Portugal's energy transition towards carbon neutrality, creating synergies between the electric and gas systems.The increased variability of generation from variable renewable power sources will create challenges regarding the security of supply, requiring investment in storage solutions to minimize renewable energy curtailment and to provide dispatchability to the electric power system. Hydrogen can be a renewable energy carrier capable of ensuring not only the desired transformation of the infrastructures of the gas system but also an integrator of the Electric System, such as in Power-to-Power (P2P) systems. Hydrogen can be produced with a surplus of renewable electricity from wind and solar, allowing a long-term energy seasonal storage strategy, namely by using underground salt caverns, to be subsequently transformed into electricity when demand cannot be supplied due to a shortage of renewable generation from solar or wind.P2P investments are capital intensive and require the development of transitional regulation mechanisms to both create opportunities to market agents while fostering the energy surplus valuation and decreasing the energy dependency. In order to maintain the electric system's security of supply, the suggested methodology innovatively manages the importance of seasonal storage of renewable energy surplus using hydrogen in power systems. It suggests a novel set of regulatory strategies to foster the creation of a P2P solution that maintains generation adequacy while assisting in decarbonising the electric power industry. Such methodology combines long-term adequacy assessment with regulatory framework evaluation to evaluate the cost of the proposed solutions to the energy system.A case study based on the Portuguese power system outlook between 2030 and 2040 demonstrates that the considerable renewable energy surplus can be stored as hydrogen and converted back into electricity to assure adequate security of supply levels throughout the year with economic feasibility under distinct public policy models.

This paper introduces the Electricity Generation Emissions (EGE) tracker as a new indicator for measuring the decarbonization process associated with the electricity generation mix. The EGE is a composite indicator calculated at the cross-country level on the basis of electricity production of different generation technologies weighted by their corresponding life cycle emission factors. In addition, a four-step methodology is proposed to monitor the energy transition rigorously. It combines index construction and decomposition with the application of machine learning and visualization techniques in a cross-country cluster analysis and temporal mapping. EGE tracker provides a benchmark for comparing countries' sustainability performance in the electricity generation process and quantifies the effectiveness of their climate policies. The design of the index offers a novel measurement to analyze the contribution of each technology to emission reduction.The application of EGE tracker and the proposed methodology reveals a highly heterogeneous emissions reduction trend across the OECD, indicating that the process of moving away from fossil fuels varies by country and evidences different effectiveness in their climate policies. Moreover, our study highlights the potential for better utilization of renewables and the optimization of sustainable energy mix combinations, paving the way for a cleaner, greener energy future.

Colombia is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 51 % by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement, with a further goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The energy sector accounts for one-third of net GHG emissions in the country; thus, its decarbonization is crucial to accomplish these targets. In this study, we assess plausible decarbonization pathways using an open-source national energy system optimization model (OSeMOSYS). We build three scenarios over 2021–2050 and contrast them in terms of emissions, energy consumption, technology deployment, costs, and benefits. The results show that a decarbonized energy system can reduce carbon intensity by 93 %, energy intensity by 44 %, fossil fuel imports by 90 %, and provide socioeconomic benefits equivalent to 21 % of the Colombia's 2021 GDP. We use these results to recommend milestones and policy actions that can help inform policymakers about cost-effective strategies to achieve a sustainable, efficient, and more resilient energy system by mid-century. Our transparent and systematic methodology provides a tool for long-term energy planning in Colombia which can also be replicated in other developing countries for assessing decarbonization pathways.

Electrification of space heating in buildings, currently dominated by on-site fossil fuel use, will be an essential element of decarbonization. Some electrification of heating is already underway, and although state-by-state adoption is highly heterogeneous, the associated impact on the grid is already being felt. The same has been true for air-conditioning except adoption levels are generally higher. As we expect rapid adoption of electrification, a model that can seamlessly disaggregate the existing electric load into that for heating, cooling and non-thermal uses is essential. We develop a model that captures the building thermal response to quantities such as building floor areas that change over years and weather that changes through the day and through the year. Complexity of occupancy, thermostat settings, diversity in building envelopes or technologies deployed are not explicitly represented, but their effects are captured as hourly changes in the response. The model can then be used to estimate the non-thermal dependent loads. Once such a disaggregation is available, it can be used to estimate new load profiles as changes in floor area or electrified loads or weather occurrences.The model is validated against actual hourly utility loads by re-aggregating the simulated hourly loads for a single year for all load zones in NYISO (boundary aligns with New York), ERCOT (covering most of Texas), CAISO (covering most of California) and some other individual balancing authorities of California (BANC, TIDC, IID, LADWP and WALC) with mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) across all between 3.0% and 6.0%. The obtained model parameters are further tested by backcasting hourly load for the past 10-year period without degradation in errors, which suggest the model is promising for forecasting in the long-term. While our results bridge the gap between building level energy simulation and building stock energy prediction, all source data for the present study are extracted from open-access datasets. The model is available as an open-source tool that can be easily applied to any spatial resolution at any geographical locations, as long as load profiles and building census data are available.

The affordability and availability of water and energy have a huge impact on food production. Research has shown that there exists a direct and indirect link between power production and clean water generation. Hence the inclusion/importance given to the energy-water-food (EWF) nexus in the United Nations' sustainable development goals. Acknowledging the importance of decarbonization to the global future, there exists a gap in literature on the development of models that can enhance the EWF nexus, reduce energy poverty, and achieve 100% renewable energy in the electricity sector. Therefore, the technical and economic prospect of geothermal energy for bridging the aforementioned gaps in existing works of literature is presented in this study. The energy poverty/wealthy status of a country has been confirmed to have a significant impact on economic development, as economic development is largely reflected in the food-water availability. Ditto, this study is focused on the interconnectivity of the EWF nexus while incorporating global decarbonization targets. Geothermal energy is of the utmost significance in East Africa due to its abundant potential and distinctive geological features. Located in the Great Rift Valley, the region has an abundance of geothermal reservoirs, making it an ideal location for geothermal power generation. This study is novel as a comprehensive assessment framework for energy poverty is developed and innovative models utilizing primarily the geothermal resource in the East African region to mitigate this problem are proposed and analyzed. The role of hydrogen generation from critical excess electricity production is also analyzed. The East Africa region is considered the case study for implementing the models developed. A central renewable energy grid is proposed/modelled to meet the energy demand for seven East African countries namely; Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Comoros, Eritrea, and Rwanda. This study considers 2030, 2040, and 2050 as the timestamp for the implementation of the proposed models. The hybrid mix of the biomass power plant, solar photovoltaic (PV), pumped hydro storage system and onshore wind power is considered to furthermore show the potency of renewable energy resources in this region. Results showed that the use of geothermal energy to meet energy demands in the case study will mitigate energy poverty and enhance the region's EWF.

The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the most cost-effective decommissioning and refurbishment investment decision for existing gas networks. An optimization model is developed and tested on a real test bed in an Austrian federal state. The analysis is performed from the network operator’s perspective and depicts different network decommissioning or refurbishment options under the decision of supplying or not supplying available gas demands. Whether or not there is ensured supply, we find that smaller gas networks (in terms of pipeline capacity and network length) are needed in the future. Analyzed shadow prices indicate that a balance/trade-off between the cost-optimal gas network design with and without ensured supply could lead to a robust and economically competitive future for downsized gas networks. The results demonstrate that it is necessary to socialize network operators’ costs among the remaining consumers connected to the network in the future. This adds a cost component to consumers, which needs to be considered when determining the profitability of sustainable alternatives to natural gas.

In the context of Europe's efforts towards decarbonization, this paper introduces a novel framework for Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), validated with multiple case studies from Italy's practice. Drawing on established concepts and an extensive literature review, the framework identifies key pillars supporting its model. The paper delineates the essential features defining the conceptual model of RECs, offering a process-oriented perspective. This model serves as a tool to assess the success of existing RECs comprehensively and provides a structured pathway for the development of new projects across different countries, fostering replication within communities. An overarching framework is presented as a solution to enhance the effective utilization of renewable energy sources. Buildings, and the communities of people who live in them are considered primary energy consumers and direct beneficiaries of a REC framework. Consequently, an original pathway for the mass renovation of buildings located in highly populated areas, from the energy sources perspective, is provided. • A conceptual model of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) is developed. • Provides a structured pathway for the development of new projects across countries. • Provides a tool to assess the success of existing Renewable Energy Communities. • The model represent a concrete solution for the nearly Zero Energy Building and Zero-Emission Building concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New York State policies impose time bound targets for both progressively larger emissions reductions and increasing fractions of zero-carbon electricity. This paper compares pathways to meet desired emissions reduction goals with or without specified zero-carbon electricity targets. We show that when an additional lever for reducing emissions – electrification of buildings and transportation – is considered, New York State can meet the same desired emissions targets at considerably lower levelized costs of electricity (LCOEs) if specified zero-carbon electricity targets are relaxed. We also investigate how electrification induced new peak loads and limits on new gas infrastructure impact state decarbonization pathways. To meet the 40% emissions reduction target by 2030, two new illustrative approaches are considered. One pathway with 100% electrification of buildings and vehicles, 11 GW of wind and utility-scale solar capacity and 21 GW of new gas generation capacity leads to an LCOE of $63/MWh. An alternate pathway that precludes new gas generation capacity requires 60% electrification, nearly doubles the installed wind and solar capacity, and results in an LCOE of $72/MWh. Due to the added emissions reduction benefits from electrification, both illustrative pathways are lower cost than a pathway in which the same 40% reduction target is combined with a specified 70% renewable target - at an LCOE of $92/MWh. We also show that LCOEs can be kept manageable through shaving of new higher peak loads that arise from electrified heating. Moreover, the LCOE impact of limiting peak natural gas flow to its current quantities is found to be small.

Actions that transform our energy system are the cornerstone of decarbonizing our economy but have been hindered by the ineffective interface between researchers and decision-makers in Canada. This paper begins by arguing for a more holistic perspective on energy system decarbonization modelling and exploring how insights can aid evidence-based decision making. We then respond with the development of a modelling platform that includes three core pillars: (1) a toolbox of models that together represent the integrated energy system, (2) a dataset containing the inputs required to populate those models, and (3) a visualization suite to analyze and communicate their outputs. The Spine Toolbox is leveraged to process these three components in an efficient workflow. Taken together, the platform promotes the usability of model results by fostering consistency, transparency, and timeliness. Furthermore, the epistemic limitations of energy systems modelling and implications for platform and model design, and engaging extended peer communities, are discussed. Our hope is that this platform can be a foundational resource that facilitates collaboration between energy system and decarbonization researchers, modelling teams and decision-makers, ultimately enabling the effective application of evidence-based policy.

Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has experienced a rapid increase in access to electricity. Bangladesh has become more dependent on the burning of furnace oil for electricity generation instead of increasing the generation of renewable energy sources. There are a variety of energy resources in the country to achieve a carbon-neutral energy which have not yet been explored to their fullest potential. A lack of proper strategies would lead to the country failing to meet its emissions reduction target, for example lack of energy diversification policy. In order to reduce carbon emission, a country should have a well-defined relationship between economic growth to the energy diversification. In this paper a relationship between economic growth and energy diversification (Energy Mix Concentration Index) has been developed for the year of 200–2020. From this relationship, it is observable that most diversified outcome can be achievable for the next fiscal year by analyzing the past year reports. The of Effort has given in this review to assess the current state of the energy sector in Bangladesh with a specific focus on energy diversification and initiatives for clean energy production. The potential for clean energy sources and technologies to reduce carbon emissions were discussed. The evolution of energy diversification was evaluated using the energy mix concentration index. Providing empirical evidence for energy policies to enhance innovation skills in the renewable energy industry might help Bangladesh achieve long-term development in energy sector.

In a decarbonized future, electricity will likely play a much greater role in all aspects of the economy, while power generation will increasingly rely on intermittent sources such as wind and solar. In deep decarbonization studies of power systems, the most striking conclusions are usually on the generation side: the need of tens of GW of new clean generation capacities and storage are typical conclusions. However, these conclusions are the direct consequence of electricity demand projections, which usually get less attention and sometimes lack detailed explanation. At the very least, these projections are aggregated and suffer from a deficit of transparency in their methodology. A detailed knowledge of possible future load profiles, and how the evolution of their drivers influences their shape, is therefore very important to plan adequately energy and power requirements, as well as regional interconnections and storage. This paper uses a bottom-up approach based on the useful energy consumed in the residential, commercial, transportation and industrial sectors to explore the load profile sensitivity to key parameters. This approach is then used to provide hourly load profiles for a full year for the state of New York as an illustration. The impact of these key parameters is demonstrated through three scenarios: business as usual, accelerated electrification and energy efficiency breakthrough. Policy makers, planning for very ambitious penetration level of renewable energy generation capacity have to take into account the effect on electricity peak and total demand of their energy efficiency initiatives.

Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are cornerstone tools in guiding decarbonization policies. However, the petrochemical sector, which is crucial to the future of oil and gas due to its non-energy fossil feedstock demands, has been overlooked in IAMs. This study aims to evaluate the implications of this under-representation on decarbonization strategies. We assessed the Illustrative Mitigation Pathways from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Sixth Assessment Report. Our analysis indicates that, without stringent material policies, the feedstock demand can reach unattainable levels from 2050 onwards. This is evidenced by the required disruptive yields of primary oil in feedstocks, which exceed 80 % in some cases. The findings highlight the necessity for improved modelling of the petrochemical sector within IAMs. • The petrochemical sector plays a pivotal role in the future of oil and gas supply. • Integrated Assessment Models lack a good representation of the petrochemical sector. • Future fossil demand is deeply affected by this sector in decarbonization pathways. • IMPs from the IPCC WGIII AR6 cannot fully meet necessary petrochemicals demands. • Material policies should be considered by decarbonization scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the role of U.S.-Canada electricity interconnections in supporting decarbonization efforts toward addressing both countries’ emission reduction goals. Using the OSeMOSYS energy system model, we calculate the generation mix and required transmission expansion between Canada and the U.S. under six climate policy and transmission cost scenarios. Overall, current emission prices will not provide enough incentive to meet stated emission reduction goals. Increases in emission penalties lead to increased transmission capacity. In all cases, the system requires significant dispatchable, low-carbon electricity to meet emission reduction goals and the flexibility of hydro resources provides significant system value. In addition to hydro and low-carbon dispatchable generation, the system requires significant investments in wind and solar in all scenarios.

As a party to the Paris Agreement, Canada has an ambitious climate target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The country also holds the world's third largest oil reserves in the Alberta oil sands. Given increasing emissions from the oil sands sector, achieving Canada's net-zero target requires significant oil sands decarbonization. If, while phasing out fossil fuels, there is still a demand for Canadian oil sands, then the decarbonization of the resource production process becomes crucial. In this study, we use an enhanced version of the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM) with a detailed unconventional oil sector for Canada, including mining and in situ resources. We ask, what is the future of the oil sands sector in deeply decarbonized global and Canadian economies? We address this question under four mitigation scenarios with varying global net-zero GHG emissions constraints, three additional representative lower carbon extraction technologies available for the oil sands sector, as well as global direct air capture (DAC) deployment. We find that lower carbon technology deployment allows a 20%–44% increase in oil sands production by 2050 for scenarios with net-zero GHG emissions in 2100 or 2075. DAC helps maintain oil sands production in the most ambitious global decarbonization scenario (net-zero GHG by 2050), without which low international oil demand makes Canadian oil sands production uncompetitive. Canadian oil sands production thus depends highly on the availability of lower carbon extraction technologies and international oil demand, which to a certain extent relies on the availability and global deployment of negative emissions technologies.

From the highest political ruling institute through the Amir of the State of Kuwait, the country announced its keenness to meet 15% of the local energy demand from renewable sources by 2030. Since the announcement in 2012, there has not been an effective assignment toward the goal. Up to date, the country's annual total energy generation from renewable technology systems is less than 1%. Furthermore, current indications imply that Kuwait will not reach the renewable energy target by 2030.This paper models the current system structure in pursuing the transition toward energy sustainability in Kuwait, focusing on renewable energy. The model development method is carried out by utilizing data and information on the performance and trends of Kuwait's energy system and related implications. Moreover, it incorporates efforts that local institutions have taken toward the development of a sustainable energy system. The model is based on a “push-pull” concept that identifies the main gaps in the current system and the barriers facing the deployment of renewable energy technologies. The development system lacks enablers involving legal and regulatory frameworks, supporting infrastructure, proper financing policies, and above all, a political will that fosters these enablers. Evidence suggests that renewable energy and clean technologies do not have sufficient potential impact on the country's economy and, therefore, they are trivial to the country's political system. Policy acts are suggested to imbed renewable and clean technologies within the country's economy to gain political popularity. Consequent implications may lead to profitable investments and social benefits, mitigating negative geopolitical impacts on the country's energy security.

Peru holds an important portion of the South American rainforest. An average deforestation rate of 145,000 ha a year makes it the largest source of GHG emissions. Based on the drivers of deforestation, this paper proposes a deep decarbonization pathway (DDP) through the year 2050 with the purpose of taking the country closer to achieving the net-zero emissions goal. The impacts of the pathway are estimated using POLYSYS-Peru, an equilibrium displacement model for the integrated analysis of land-use changes and agriculture. The results indicate that the proposed DDP pathway, by preventing the deforestation of 4 million hectares of primary forests, would reduce GHG emissions by an accumulated 1778 Mt CO2 eq. compared to the business as usual scenario, and 497 Mt CO2 eq. more than the Nationally Determined Contributions.

Climate change is driving the need for new approaches to energy production and utilization globally, contributing to the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Low-emission hydrogen is recognized as a key energy vector for decarbonization, and numerous countries are currently evaluating strategies and roadmaps for its integration. Colombia, with its abundant renewable resources, is poised as a potential player in hydrogen production. This study presents a techno-economic assessment of hydrogen pathways and their cross-sectoral interactions within the Colombian energy system. By employing an open energy system optimization framework (OSeMOSYS), we modelled a detailed supply-demand hydrogen chain and analysed a series of scenarios from 2021 to 2050, including a sensitivity analysis. Our results show that hydrogen pathways will require 2–6.4 Mt/year in hydrogen production, 8–27 GW in new installed capacity, and US$50–80 billion in investments, with favourable impacts in GHG mitigation, energy imports, and socioeconomic benefits. We use these findings to suggest an update to the targets of the current National Hydrogen Roadmap focused on a higher ambition to deploy a full hydrogen economy. Our open methodology provides a valuable tool for conducting further assessments in developing countries interested in defining low-emission hydrogen roadmaps. • The hydrogen supply-demand chain is described and modelled. • SMR and biomass gasification with CCS complement electrolysis to produce low-emission hydrogen. • Transport, industry, and exports are the sectors with higher potential for end-use of hydrogen. • Open data and modelling can support the assessment and update of national hydrogen roadmaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portugal made a climate commitment when it ratified the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. As a result, Portugal, along with other EU members, has created a national roadmap for the deployment of hydrogen as a crucial component of Portugal's energy transition towards carbon neutrality, creating synergies between the electric and gas systems. The increased variability of generation from variable renewable power sources will create challenges regarding the security of supply, requiring investment in storage solutions to minimize renewable energy curtailment and to provide dispatchability to the electric power system. Hydrogen can be a renewable energy carrier capable of ensuring not only the desired transformation of the infrastructures of the gas system but also an integrator of the Electric System, such as in Power-to-Power (P2P) systems. Hydrogen can be produced with a surplus of renewable electricity from wind and solar, allowing a long-term energy seasonal storage strategy, namely by using underground salt caverns, to be subsequently transformed into electricity when demand cannot be supplied due to a shortage of renewable generation from solar or wind. P2P investments are capital intensive and require the development of transitional regulation mechanisms to both create opportunities to market agents while fostering the energy surplus valuation and decreasing the energy dependency. In order to maintain the electric system's security of supply, the suggested methodology innovatively manages the importance of seasonal storage of renewable energy surplus using hydrogen in power systems. It suggests a novel set of regulatory strategies to foster the creation of a P2P solution that maintains generation adequacy while assisting in decarbonising the electric power industry. Such methodology combines long-term adequacy assessment with regulatory framework evaluation to evaluate the cost of the proposed solutions to the energy system. A case study based on the Portuguese power system outlook between 2030 and 2040 demonstrates that the considerable renewable energy surplus can be stored as hydrogen and converted back into electricity to assure adequate security of supply levels throughout the year with economic feasibility under distinct public policy models. • Sector coupling emerges as a solution to accelerate energy transition, harvesting renewable energy surplus with P2P assets • Although with a decreasing trend, thermal firm capacity will still secure considerable load until 2040 while keeping SoS • P2P, together with H2 seasonal storage, can ensure adequate SoS indexes and further increase renewable energy integration • Transitional regulation must be developed to foster P2P projects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving ambitious reductions in greenhouse gases (GHG) is particularly challenging for transportation due to the technical limitations of replacing oil-based fuels. We apply the integrated assessment model MEDEAS-World to study four global transportation decarbonization strategies for 2050. The results show that a massive replacement of oil-fueled individual vehicles to electric ones alone cannot deliver GHG reductions consistent with climate stabilization and could result in the scarcity of some key minerals, such as lithium and magnesium. In addition, energy-economy feedbacks within an economic growth system create a rebound effect that counters the benefits of substitution. The only strategy that can achieve the objectives globally follows the Degrowth paradigm, combining a quick and radical shift to lighter electric vehicles and non-motorized modes with a drastic reduction in total transportation demand.

This synthesis paper presents the objectives, approach and cross-cutting results of the Latin American Deep Decarbonization Pathways project (DDP-LAC). It synthesizes and compares detailed national and sectoral deep decarbonization pathways (DDPs) to 2050 compatible with the Paris Agreement objectives and domestic development priorities in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. The first five countries analysed in detail the energy system and agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU) at a high level, while Peru focussed on a detailed analysis of AFOLU given its predominance in its GHG emissions. While economy-wide results were produced, this paper focuses on the electricity, passenger transport, and AFOLU results because of their current emissions, potential to grow, and identification of successful strategies for decarbonization (e.g. switching to clean electricity and other net-zero emissions fuels across the economy; urban planning, mode shifting, and electrification in passenger transport; and intensive sustainable agriculture, assignment of land use rights and their enforcement and afforestation in AFOLU). It also highlights where significant emissions remain in 2050, notably in industry, AFOLU, freight, and oil and gas production, all areas for future research. It derives insights for the design of domestic policy packages and identifies priorities for international cooperation. This analysis provides critical information for Long-Term Strategies, Nationally Determined Contributions and Global Stocktaking in the context of the Paris Agreement.

This paper introduces the Electricity Generation Emissions (EGE) tracker as a new indicator for measuring the decarbonization process associated with the electricity generation mix. The EGE is a composite indicator calculated at the cross-country level on the basis of electricity production of different generation technologies weighted by their corresponding life cycle emission factors. In addition, a four-step methodology is proposed to monitor the energy transition rigorously. It combines index construction and decomposition with the application of machine learning and visualization techniques in a cross-country cluster analysis and temporal mapping. EGE tracker provides a benchmark for comparing countries' sustainability performance in the electricity generation process and quantifies the effectiveness of their climate policies. The design of the index offers a novel measurement to analyze the contribution of each technology to emission reduction. The application of EGE tracker and the proposed methodology reveals a highly heterogeneous emissions reduction trend across the OECD, indicating that the process of moving away from fossil fuels varies by country and evidences different effectiveness in their climate policies. Moreover, our study highlights the potential for better utilization of renewables and the optimization of sustainable energy mix combinations, paving the way for a cleaner, greener energy future. • New composite indicator to track decarbonization trends in the power sector. • A benchmark for comparing countries' climate policy effectiveness. • Analyzes the contribution of each technology to emission reduction. • Accounts for life cycle emissions in electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 51 % by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement, with a further goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The energy sector accounts for one-third of net GHG emissions in the country; thus, its decarbonization is crucial to accomplish these targets. In this study, we assess plausible decarbonization pathways using an open-source national energy system optimization model (OSeMOSYS). We build three scenarios over 2021–2050 and contrast them in terms of emissions, energy consumption, technology deployment, costs, and benefits. The results show that a decarbonized energy system can reduce carbon intensity by 93 %, energy intensity by 44 %, fossil fuel imports by 90 %, and provide socioeconomic benefits equivalent to 21 % of the Colombia's 2021 GDP. We use these results to recommend milestones and policy actions that can help inform policymakers about cost-effective strategies to achieve a sustainable, efficient, and more resilient energy system by mid-century. Our transparent and systematic methodology provides a tool for long-term energy planning in Colombia which can also be replicated in other developing countries for assessing decarbonization pathways. • Low-carbon scenarios bring more socioeconomic benefits compared to fossil-fuel-intensive scenarios. • Renewable electrification, CCS, low-emission hydrogen and energy efficiency enable decarbonization pathways. • Sectoral targets can contribute to the design of energy policy for sustainable development. • Open data and modelling provide a valuable benchmark for further research in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrification of space heating in buildings, currently dominated by on-site fossil fuel use, will be an essential element of decarbonization. Some electrification of heating is already underway, and although state-by-state adoption is highly heterogeneous, the associated impact on the grid is already being felt. The same has been true for air-conditioning except adoption levels are generally higher. As we expect rapid adoption of electrification, a model that can seamlessly disaggregate the existing electric load into that for heating, cooling and non-thermal uses is essential. We develop a model that captures the building thermal response to quantities such as building floor areas that change over years and weather that changes through the day and through the year. Complexity of occupancy, thermostat settings, diversity in building envelopes or technologies deployed are not explicitly represented, but their effects are captured as hourly changes in the response. The model can then be used to estimate the non-thermal dependent loads. Once such a disaggregation is available, it can be used to estimate new load profiles as changes in floor area or electrified loads or weather occurrences. The model is validated against actual hourly utility loads by re-aggregating the simulated hourly loads for a single year for all load zones in NYISO (boundary aligns with New York), ERCOT (covering most of Texas), CAISO (covering most of California) and some other individual balancing authorities of California (BANC, TIDC, IID, LADWP and WALC) with mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) across all between 3.0% and 6.0%. The obtained model parameters are further tested by backcasting hourly load for the past 10-year period without degradation in errors, which suggest the model is promising for forecasting in the long-term. While our results bridge the gap between building level energy simulation and building stock energy prediction, all source data for the present study are extracted from open-access datasets. The model is available as an open-source tool that can be easily applied to any spatial resolution at any geographical locations, as long as load profiles and building census data are available. • Electrification of heating, like cooling, is beginning to alter utility load profiles. • Methods to disaggregate utility loads are essential for electric load projections. • Our model captures load's hourly response to climatic and building stock indicators. • Backcast results for ten prior years illustrate the potential for load forecasting. • The model is presented to be open-source. It can be easily applied to any location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The affordability and availability of water and energy have a huge impact on food production. Research has shown that there exists a direct and indirect link between power production and clean water generation. Hence the inclusion/importance given to the energy-water-food (EWF) nexus in the United Nations' sustainable development goals. Acknowledging the importance of decarbonization to the global future, there exists a gap in literature on the development of models that can enhance the EWF nexus, reduce energy poverty, and achieve 100% renewable energy in the electricity sector. Therefore, the technical and economic prospect of geothermal energy for bridging the aforementioned gaps in existing works of literature is presented in this study. The energy poverty/wealthy status of a country has been confirmed to have a significant impact on economic development, as economic development is largely reflected in the food-water availability. Ditto, this study is focused on the interconnectivity of the EWF nexus while incorporating global decarbonization targets. Geothermal energy is of the utmost significance in East Africa due to its abundant potential and distinctive geological features. Located in the Great Rift Valley, the region has an abundance of geothermal reservoirs, making it an ideal location for geothermal power generation. This study is novel as a comprehensive assessment framework for energy poverty is developed and innovative models utilizing primarily the geothermal resource in the East African region to mitigate this problem are proposed and analyzed. The role of hydrogen generation from critical excess electricity production is also analyzed. The East Africa region is considered the case study for implementing the models developed. A central renewable energy grid is proposed/modelled to meet the energy demand for seven East African countries namely; Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Comoros, Eritrea, and Rwanda. This study considers 2030, 2040, and 2050 as the timestamp for the implementation of the proposed models. The hybrid mix of the biomass power plant, solar photovoltaic (PV), pumped hydro storage system and onshore wind power is considered to furthermore show the potency of renewable energy resources in this region. Results showed that the use of geothermal energy to meet energy demands in the case study will mitigate energy poverty and enhance the region's EWF. • Use of geothermal energy for EWF nexus enhancement while achieving decarbonization. • The technical and economic prospect of geothermal energy in East Africa. • Analysis of hydrogen production in a decarbonized energy system. • Modelling of 12 different feasible decarbonization scenarios to meet energy-water demand. • 2030, 2040, and 2050 least contribution from geothermal power is 100%, 95.4%, and 63.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the most cost-effective decommissioning and refurbishment investment decision for existing gas networks. An optimization model is developed and tested on a real test bed in an Austrian federal state. The analysis is performed from the network operator's perspective and depicts different network decommissioning or refurbishment options under the decision of supplying or not supplying available gas demands. Whether or not there is ensured supply, we find that smaller gas networks (in terms of pipeline capacity and network length) are needed in the future. Analyzed shadow prices indicate that a balance/trade-off between the cost-optimal gas network design with and without ensured supply could lead to a robust and economically competitive future for downsized gas networks. The results demonstrate that it is necessary to socialize network operators' costs among the remaining consumers connected to the network in the future. This adds a cost component to consumers, which needs to be considered when determining the profitability of sustainable alternatives to natural gas. • Decommissioning and refurbishment investment decision for gas networks. • Modeling the decision of supplying or not supplying available gas demands. • Smaller gas networks are needed in the future (in terms of capacity and length). • Shadow prices indicate gas network's robustness and economic viability. • Socialization of network operators' costs among remaining consumers necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach the 2030 decarbonization targets, EU Member States develop national strategies. We examine the views of key stakeholders in Finland to outline how those responsible for developing, steering and implementing the energy system assess the various solutions. The Finnish choices are of interest owing to the mixture of assets, constraints and path-dependencies shaping them. Our Q methodological analysis uncovers three main views: international competition and smart solutions; active consumers; national competitiveness and local solutions alongside a consensus upon which the implementation of Finland's own 2030 strategy can be built. The key stakeholders in Finland are ready for solutions comprehensively shaping the energy system, which can also influence several vested interests, existing business models and eventually break existing path-dependencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, due to industrialization, GHG emissions continue to increase. This is despite the existing scientific and political consensus to fight human-induced climate change. To reverse this trend, viable, cost-effective decarbonization pathways are needed. We focus on the European power supply system and demonstrate the techno-economic feasibility of reaching the EU's mitigation targets by 2050. We show that a transition from conventional to renewable-based power supply systems is possible for the EU even with a politically driven nuclear power phase-out. We provide a guideline for European stakeholders that shows how to transform their power generation systems. By following our recommendations, the EU can be a role model for other countries and regions moving towards decarbonization. Our work is guided by two main motivations: • How can the transition of Europe's power system be modeled adequately? • What is the techno-economically optimal transition pathway for meeting the EU GHG power sector emission targets by 2050? A comparison of power system models has revealed a need for a combined short and long-term simulation tool that includes the principal power generation, storage and transmission technologies being considered in Europe. We adapted and applied the linear model elesplan-m to simulate a techno-economically optimized decarbonization pathway for 18 interconnected European regions and found that meeting the EU's reduction targets, i.e. reducing the GHG emissions from 1300 to 24 Mt CO2eq per year by 2050, can be achieved by large-scale capacity investment in renewable energy sources (RES). The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) would increase from 6.7 to 9.0 ctEUR/kWh and investments of 403 billion EUR would be necessary during the 34 year period analyzed. In 2050, the resulting power supply system is largely composed of wind power (1485 GW) and PV (909 GW), which are supported by 150 GW hydro power and 244 GW gas power. In addition, 432 GW of storage and 362 GW of transmission capacity are required to temporally and spatially distribute electricity. This work provides not only a feasible concept for a decarbonized power supply system, but shows also the implementation steps necessary to make the transition to that system cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New York State policies impose time bound targets for both progressively larger emissions reductions and increasing fractions of zero-carbon electricity. This paper compares pathways to meet desired emissions reduction goals with or without specified zero-carbon electricity targets. We show that when an additional lever for reducing emissions – electrification of buildings and transportation – is considered, New York State can meet the same desired emissions targets at considerably lower levelized costs of electricity (LCOEs) if specified zero-carbon electricity targets are relaxed. We also investigate how electrification induced new peak loads and limits on new gas infrastructure impact state decarbonization pathways. To meet the 40% emissions reduction target by 2030, two new illustrative approaches are considered. One pathway with 100% electrification of buildings and vehicles, 11 GW of wind and utility-scale solar capacity and 21 GW of new gas generation capacity leads to an LCOE of $63/MWh. An alternate pathway that precludes new gas generation capacity requires 60% electrification, nearly doubles the installed wind and solar capacity, and results in an LCOE of $72/MWh. Due to the added emissions reduction benefits from electrification, both illustrative pathways are lower cost than a pathway in which the same 40% reduction target is combined with a specified 70% renewable target - at an LCOE of $92/MWh. We also show that LCOEs can be kept manageable through shaving of new higher peak loads that arise from electrified heating. Moreover, the LCOE impact of limiting peak natural gas flow to its current quantities is found to be small. • New York State electric grid, building and vehicle electrification loads modeled. • Electrification of loads can lower grid LCOE. • Role of shaving load peaks from electrified space heating. • Impact of no new gas generation and pipeline infrastructure on LCOE. • Extra electricity supply costs and end-uses fuel savings from electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actions that transform our energy system are the cornerstone of decarbonizing our economy but have been hindered by the ineffective interface between researchers and decision-makers in Canada. This paper begins by arguing for a more holistic perspective on energy system decarbonization modelling and exploring how insights can aid evidence-based decision making. We then respond with the development of a modelling platform that includes three core pillars: (1) a toolbox of models that together represent the integrated energy system, (2) a dataset containing the inputs required to populate those models, and (3) a visualization suite to analyze and communicate their outputs. The Spine Toolbox is leveraged to process these three components in an efficient workflow. Taken together, the platform promotes the usability of model results by fostering consistency, transparency, and timeliness. Furthermore, the epistemic limitations of energy systems modelling and implications for platform and model design, and engaging extended peer communities, are discussed. Our hope is that this platform can be a foundational resource that facilitates collaboration between energy system and decarbonization researchers, modelling teams and decision-makers, ultimately enabling the effective application of evidence-based policy. • Argues that energy systems integration is a key element of system decarbonization modelling. • Reviews the current landscape of energy systems models and priorities in Canada. • Presents an open-source toolkit for modelling Canada's energy system and its decarbonization. • Describes how the toolkit can facilitate evidence-based decision making. • Refer to MethodsX for user manuals: SILVER model, COPPER manual, CODERs database, IDEA suite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has experienced a rapid increase in access to electricity. Bangladesh has become more dependent on the burning of furnace oil for electricity generation instead of increasing the generation of renewable energy sources. There are a variety of energy resources in the country to achieve a carbon-neutral energy which have not yet been explored to their fullest potential. A lack of proper strategies would lead to the country failing to meet its emissions reduction target, for example lack of energy diversification policy. In order to reduce carbon emission, a country should have a well-defined relationship between economic growth to the energy diversification. In this paper a relationship between economic growth and energy diversification (Energy Mix Concentration Index) has been developed for the year of 200–2020. From this relationship, it is observable that most diversified outcome can be achievable for the next fiscal year by analyzing the past year reports. The of Effort has given in this review to assess the current state of the energy sector in Bangladesh with a specific focus on energy diversification and initiatives for clean energy production. The potential for clean energy sources and technologies to reduce carbon emissions were discussed. The evolution of energy diversification was evaluated using the energy mix concentration index. Providing empirical evidence for energy policies to enhance innovation skills in the renewable energy industry might help Bangladesh achieve long-term development in energy sector. • The energy policy issues for national sustainable development were highlighted. • The energy diversification strategy of Bangladesh was discussed. • The long-term risk of energy policies in Bangladesh was addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a decarbonized future, electricity will likely play a much greater role in all aspects of the economy, while power generation will increasingly rely on intermittent sources such as wind and solar. In deep decarbonization studies of power systems, the most striking conclusions are usually on the generation side: the need of tens of GW of new clean generation capacities and storage are typical conclusions. However, these conclusions are the direct consequence of electricity demand projections, which usually get less attention and sometimes lack detailed explanation. At the very least, these projections are aggregated and suffer from a deficit of transparency in their methodology. A detailed knowledge of possible future load profiles, and how the evolution of their drivers influences their shape, is therefore very important to plan adequately energy and power requirements, as well as regional interconnections and storage. This paper uses a bottom-up approach based on the useful energy consumed in the residential, commercial, transportation and industrial sectors to explore the load profile sensitivity to key parameters. This approach is then used to provide hourly load profiles for a full year for the state of New York as an illustration. The impact of these key parameters is demonstrated through three scenarios: business as usual, accelerated electrification and energy efficiency breakthrough. Policy makers, planning for very ambitious penetration level of renewable energy generation capacity have to take into account the effect on electricity peak and total demand of their energy efficiency initiatives. • Load profiles are the starting point of power system planning. • The forecast literature on load profiles does not focus on actionable demand drivers. • Our bottom-up model illustrates how radically different load shapes can be. • By 2040, New York could evolve towards a 54 GW peak or a 25 GW one. • Energy efficiency in buildings and EV charging profile are actionable drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the role of U.S.-Canada electricity interconnections in supporting decarbonization efforts toward addressing both countries' emission reduction goals. Using the OSeMOSYS energy system model, we calculate the generation mix and required transmission expansion between Canada and the U.S. under six climate policy and transmission cost scenarios. Overall, current emission prices will not provide enough incentive to meet stated emission reduction goals. Increases in emission penalties lead to increased transmission capacity. In all cases, the system requires significant dispatchable, low-carbon electricity to meet emission reduction goals and the flexibility of hydro resources provides significant system value. In addition to hydro and low-carbon dispatchable generation, the system requires significant investments in wind and solar in all scenarios. • U.S.-Canada energy system model developed to study regional generation and transmission investments. • New model has higher spatial disaggregation and geographic coverage when compared to prior work. • U.S.-Canada decarbonization requires significant investments in renewable energy to achieve net-zero system emissions in 2050. • Canadian hydro flexibility tested and discussed for net-zero emission goals in 2050. • Transmission cost parameters varied and tested in the U.S.-Canada model to present its impacts on future investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a party to the Paris Agreement, Canada has an ambitious climate target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The country also holds the world's third largest oil reserves in the Alberta oil sands. Given increasing emissions from the oil sands sector, achieving Canada's net-zero target requires significant oil sands decarbonization. If, while phasing out fossil fuels, there is still a demand for Canadian oil sands, then the decarbonization of the resource production process becomes crucial. In this study, we use an enhanced version of the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM) with a detailed unconventional oil sector for Canada, including mining and in situ resources. We ask, what is the future of the oil sands sector in deeply decarbonized global and Canadian economies? We address this question under four mitigation scenarios with varying global net-zero GHG emissions constraints, three additional representative lower carbon extraction technologies available for the oil sands sector, as well as global direct air capture (DAC) deployment. We find that lower carbon technology deployment allows a 20% – 44% increase in oil sands production by 2050 for scenarios with net-zero GHG emissions in 2100 or 2075. DAC helps maintain oil sands production in the most ambitious global decarbonization scenario (net-zero GHG by 2050), without which low international oil demand makes Canadian oil sands production uncompetitive. Canadian oil sands production thus depends highly on the availability of lower carbon extraction technologies and international oil demand, which to a certain extent relies on the availability and global deployment of negative emissions technologies. • Technology is crucial for Canadian oil sands development in deep decarbonization scenarios. • Lower carbon extraction technologies can help decarbonize the oil sands sector. • DAC allows for a higher global oil demand and thus higher oil sands production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the highest political ruling institute through the Amir of the State of Kuwait, the country announced its keenness to meet 15% of the local energy demand from renewable sources by 2030. Since the announcement in 2012, there has not been an effective assignment toward the goal. Up to date, the country's annual total energy generation from renewable technology systems is less than 1%. Furthermore, current indications imply that Kuwait will not reach the renewable energy target by 2030. This paper models the current system structure in pursuing the transition toward energy sustainability in Kuwait, focusing on renewable energy. The model development method is carried out by utilizing data and information on the performance and trends of Kuwait's energy system and related implications. Moreover, it incorporates efforts that local institutions have taken toward the development of a sustainable energy system. The model is based on a "push-pull" concept that identifies the main gaps in the current system and the barriers facing the deployment of renewable energy technologies. The development system lacks enablers involving legal and regulatory frameworks, supporting infrastructure, proper financing policies, and above all, a political will that fosters these enablers. Evidence suggests that renewable energy and clean technologies do not have sufficient potential impact on the country's economy and, therefore, they are trivial to the country's political system. Policy acts are suggested to imbed renewable and clean technologies within the country's economy to gain political popularity. Consequent implications may lead to profitable investments and social benefits, mitigating negative geopolitical impacts on the country's energy security. • Kuwait is targeting 15% of its energy mix from renewable sources by 2030. • Renewable target will not be met due to political system's lack of interest. • Renewable energy deployment process is modeled through factor-push/market-pull. • Policy measures are proposed to stimulate the political system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peru holds an important portion of the South American rainforest. An average deforestation rate of 145,000 ha a year makes it the largest source of GHG emissions. Based on the drivers of deforestation, this paper proposes a deep decarbonization pathway (DDP) through the year 2050 with the purpose of taking the country closer to achieving the net-zero emissions goal. The impacts of the pathway are estimated using POLYSYS-Peru, an equilibrium displacement model for the integrated analysis of land-use changes and agriculture. The results indicate that the proposed DDP pathway, by preventing the deforestation of 4 million hectares of primary forests, would reduce GHG emissions by an accumulated 1778 Mt CO 2 eq. compared to the business as usual scenario, and 497 Mt CO 2 eq. more than the Nationally Determined Contributions. • Develop an Equilibrium Displacement Model for AFOLU sector, to analyze the effects of deforestation drivers. • Propose and evaluate a policy package for the forest sector that promotes a deep decarbonization path through the year 2050. • The deep decarbonization pathway reduces cumulative GHG emissions by 1778 t CO2eq. compared to the business- as -usual scenario. • The deep decarbonization pathway reduces 497 Mt CO2eq Mt more than nationally determined contributions. • The deep decarbonization pathway preventing the deforestation of 4 million hectares of primary forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving ambitious reductions in greenhouse gases (GHG) is particularly challenging for transportation due to the technical limitations of replacing oil-based fuels. We apply the integrated assessment model MEDEAS-World to study four global transportation decarbonization strategies for 2050. The results show that a massive replacement of oil-fueled individual vehicles to electric ones alone cannot deliver GHG reductions consistent with climate stabilization and could result in the scarcity of some key minerals, such as lithium and magnesium. In addition, energy-economy feedbacks within an economic growth system create a rebound effect that counters the benefits of substitution. The only strategy that can achieve the objectives globally follows the Degrowth paradigm, combining a quick and radical shift to lighter electric vehicles and non-motorized modes with a drastic reduction in total transportation demand. • Transportation is the sector most difficult to decarbonize. • Technological change alone cannot achieve ambitious GHG reductions. • Transport decarbonization can only be achieved with a strong reduction in demand. • Strategic minerals are a serious limit to the expansion of electric vehicles. • MEDEAS-W model shows the limits and rebound effects of transport electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This synthesis paper presents the objectives, approach and cross-cutting results of the Latin American Deep Decarbonization Pathways project (DDP-LAC). It synthesizes and compares detailed national and sectoral deep decarbonization pathways (DDPs) to 2050 compatible with the Paris Agreement objectives and domestic development priorities in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. The first five countries analysed in detail the energy system and agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU) at a high level, while Peru focussed on a detailed analysis of AFOLU given its predominance in its GHG emissions. While economy-wide results were produced, this paper focuses on the electricity, passenger transport, and AFOLU results because of their current emissions, potential to grow, and identification of successful strategies for decarbonization (e.g. switching to clean electricity and other net-zero emissions fuels across the economy; urban planning, mode shifting, and electrification in passenger transport; and intensive sustainable agriculture, assignment of land use rights and their enforcement and afforestation in AFOLU). It also highlights where significant emissions remain in 2050, notably in industry, AFOLU, freight, and oil and gas production, all areas for future research. It derives insights for the design of domestic policy packages and identifies priorities for international cooperation. This analysis provides critical information for Long-Term Strategies, Nationally Determined Contributions and Global Stocktaking in the context of the Paris Agreement. • The Latin American Deep Decarbonization Pathways project (DDP-LAC) included teams from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico & Peru. • DDP-LAC's purpose was to create energy & AFOLU modelling capability, net-zero DDP scenarios, a community, and initiate stakeholder engagement. • Electricity generation, personal transport, and AFOLU were identified as key areas given current emissions and potential growth. • DDPs were established for the energy system for Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico, with initial explorations of AFOLU. • A more in-depth AFOLU DDP was established for Peru. • Mitigation pathways were identified for personal transport and electricity generation. • Services, buildings, households, and some industry were largely decarbonized through electrification. • There were significant remaining emissions in AFOLU, freight, industry, oil and gas production and waste, key areas for future effort. • Areas for research were identified for domestic policy package formation and international cooperation to implement the DDPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]