Energy Landscape
Where Are We Now?
(NEW!) JUCCCE advisor Charles McElwee reports on China's sustainability efforts
Global environmental consequences require disruptive change in our energy behavior, which requires wide-scale cooperation.
- The US and China are the world's top two energy users and emissions producers.
- 40% of all deaths worldwide are caused by pollution (Cornell study).
- Emissions are fast increasing due to China's 70% dependence on coal for energy and rising energy demands.
- Scientists agree that we must cap fossil fuel use.
Energy demand fast increasing. Clean energy technologies not keeping pace.
- China's rising living standards and GDP targets increase energy use.
- Urban citizens use more energy than rural ones. By 2025, China will have 1 billion people living in cities.
- Even used at maximum potential, renewable energies cannot supply enough to keep up with demand.
- China's consumer and industry awareness are low.
- Upcoming energy deficit means unexpected energy shortages.
Current energy infrastructure is a leaky bucket.
- 2/3 of energy is lost between generation, delivery and point of use.
- Energy efficiency improvements are the cheapest form of energy supply.
People are the Key to Solutions
Building an energy workforce is key to delivering change.
- China's ambitious green policy programs are a step in the right direction--but we need to enable local implementation.
- Everyone uses energy. Everyone is part of the energy workforce.
- Consumer awareness needs to increase. The link between energy use and personal health must be made to change consumer behavior.
- Industry awareness needs to increase. More case studies on how companies can make green while being green are necessary.
- Skills building (vocational training) for deployment of technologies needs to take place at an unprecedented scale.
- Leadership development should help key decision makers with articulating an energy strategy.
We must answer people’s questions on why to go green.
- Government leaders ask, “How can my region go green and continue to grow economically?”
- Industry leaders ask, “What does green mean? How do I justify the costs?”
- Land developers ask, “Does it cost more to build green? What resources are there to help me?”
- Consumers ask, “Why should I care about the energy crisis? Isn’t this a government problem?”
Collaboration (multidisciplinary and international) is key to accelerating change.
- Our ability to create innovative partnerships will drive accelerated progress on solutions.
- The web has the potential to coordinate mass collaboration.
- "Connectors" who selectively bring different parties together in productive ways are essential.
Making deployment easier will determine whether programs are implemented effectively.
- Turnkey solutions for key decision makers makes deployment easier.
- Energy Service Companies (ESCos) can be more effective in China with the right contractual, insurance, and policy support.
- The Energy Productivity Reports by McKinsey for China and globally show cost-effective energy efficiency improvements across the energy landscape.
Enforcement is the Easiest Win.
- Creating organizational structure to enforce policies already in place are the easiest wins for China.
