7. Beyond Zero Emissions

This week I was able to meet with some people working for Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), which is a community and volunteer-based climate and renewable energy think-tank with a small team of contracted coordinators who enable hundreds of volunteers to actively engage with the key objective of BZE to move Australia from a 19th century fossil fuel-based economy to a 21st century 100% renewable-powered clean tech economy. It’s a “noble” vision! Essentially, this group works on putting together technically-robust reports that show that establishing 100% renewable energy in Australia is feasible in a short timeframe. Such work is very important, since it provides a foundation for the work of many other environmental and community organisations, not to mention business involved in renewable energy technologies. The history of BZE is …

It was established in 2006 out of a concern that the stated climate change goals of other environmental organisations at the time contradicted the scientific literature. Policies these organisations were calling for if realised would see atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise, thereby causing devastation from global warming. Luckily, this has now begun to change, with the grassroots climate action movement, made up of over 200 groups across Australia adopting a policy of 100% renewable energy for Australia by 2020, and recognising that the current science is explicit in saying that there is already to much carbon in the atmosphere. Some of the bigger environment groups are also moving in this direction. From its inception, the goal of BZE has been to help facilitate a timely transition to a zero carbon future where atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are reduced to a safe threshold. The group focuses on the research, education and promulgation of scientifically-based policy and technology solutions in order to realise this transition.

So BZE provides a foundation, and shows what is possible from a technical-economic perspective. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the reports of BZE are only showing some possible futures. There are a huge diversity of renewable energy technologies available today and being developed. It is fair to say that the future will look very different to what we expect! Not only is it difficult to predict which technologies will become commercially viable, receive policy support and take-off, it is also extremely difficult to understand how technologies will integrate together. Synergies between technologies will no doubt play a significant role in future energy systems. If BZE sets the groundwork, the other side is “how” to shift towards 100% renewable energy. This demands a deep understanding of socio-technical transitions or transformations, and “where” niche or disruptive changes can start? It is these questions that demand critical attention and action …

Have a good weekend!