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Energy systems in scenarios at net-zero CO 2 emissions.
- Source :
-
Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2021 Oct 20; Vol. 12 (1), pp. 6096. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Oct 20. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Achieving net-zero CO <subscript>2</subscript> emissions has become the explicitgoal of many climate-energy policies around the world. Although many studies have assessed net-zero emissions pathways, the common features and tradeoffs of energy systems across global scenarios at the point of net-zero CO <subscript>2</subscript> emissions have not yet been evaluated. Here, we examine the energy systems of 177 net-zero scenarios and discuss their long-term technological and regional characteristics in the context of current energy policies. We find that, on average, renewable energy sources account for 60% of primary energy at net-zero (compared to ∼14% today), with slightly less than half of that renewable energy derived from biomass. Meanwhile, electricity makes up approximately half of final energy consumed (compared to ∼20% today), highlighting the extent to which solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels remain prevalent in the scenarios even when emissions reach net-zero. Finally, residual emissions and offsetting negative emissions are not evenly distributed across world regions, which may have important implications for negotiations on burden-sharing, human development, and equity.<br /> (© 2021. The Author(s).)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2041-1723
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34671014
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26356-y