Socially equitable energy system transitions
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Patrizio, Piera
Pratama, Yoga Wienda
Mac Dowell, Niall
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The European transition to a net-zero economy by 2050 implies a wide range of changes that may adversely affect certain industrial sectors, communities, and regions. However, these impacts are entirely obscured by conventional least-cost analyses. Thus, this work compares the socio-economic impacts of various strategies to decarbonize the energy system by 2050 within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We demonstrate that transitions that protect domestic strategic assets and preserve key industrial sectors correspondingly deliver a socially equitable transition. Adopting a technology-agnostic approach to decarbonizing the European electricity system maximizes the associated co-benefits and potentially increases the gross value added (GVA) to the economy by 50% relative to a business as usual scenario. This new way of thinking about the economic transition fundamentally reframes the discussion from one of cost to one of opportunity.
Date Issued
2020-08-19
Date Acceptance
2020-07-10
Citation
Joule, 2020, 4 (8), pp.1700-1713
ISSN
2542-4351
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1700
End Page
1713
Journal / Book Title
Joule
Volume
4
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000561454400013&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Physical
Energy & Fuels
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
Materials Science
CLIMATE-CHANGE
POWER
SUSTAINABILITY
ELECTRICITY
CHALLENGES
INNOVATION
SECTOR
WIND
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-08-12