The decline in energy sector emissions and emerging grid parity for renewables shows a shift to a low-carbon economy isn't a "pipe dream," a U.N. panel found.

A report from a United Nations' panel aimed at encouraging a broad-based shift toward renewable energy finds that 2016 was the third year in a row that emissions declined at the same time the global economy expanded.

The multilateral Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century said that, when it was founded in 2004, "no one imagined" that most of the new power installations in the European Union in 2016 would come from renewable energy and China, the world's second-largest economy, would emerge as a low-carbon leader.

"Some might be tempted to conclude that getting to 100% renewables by mid-century is a pipe dream," REN 21 Chairman Arthouros Zervos said in the report. "But if we've learned one thing about renewable energy deployment over the last decade, it is that, with sufficient political will to adopt good policies and create financial incentives, most obstacles can be overcome."

In the United States, a report published by advocates at the Natural Resources Defense Council finds extending federal tax credits for wind and solar development could add more than $20 billion to the U.S. economy this year. Two states with strong shale natural gas portfolios – Ohio and Pennsylvania – could stand to see significant additions to state gross domestic product and as many as 19,000 new jobs coming from renewable energy.

Separately, a report to the Australian government on wind power finds the number of new projects is set to expand significantly this year.

"Wind power is set to become a major part of Australia's power system and regional communities will be the big winners, snaring jobs and crucial economic activity," Australian Wind Alliance national coordinator Andrew Bray told UPI.

The U.N. report said decoupling national economies from fossil fuels presents major challenges in countries like Japan and the United States because of "vested interests of the conventional energy industry." Christine Lins, the executive director at REN21, said "wishful thinking" won't push the global economy to where it needs to be to keep the threats of a changing climate at bay.

"Countries as diverse as China and Denmark have shown that decoupling GDP and energy growth is possible," Zervos added.

Tweet

Japan scientist eyes energy burst from 'typhoon turbine'
Tokyo (AFP) March 29, 2017
Most people look for a place to hide when a typhoon is on the horizon, but Atsushi Shimizu hopes that the fury of nature may one day help resource-poor Japan tackle its energy woes. As thousands of Australians seek shelter from a "monster" cyclone battering the country's northern coast, the Tokyo-based engineer believes that his bladeless wind turbine can not only stand up to the raw force o ... read more

Related Links
Wind Energy News at Wind Daily

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only