Technological neutrality

When we think of technologies for fighting climate change, images of solar panels and wind turbines immediately spring to mind.  And we are not mistaken. Renewable energies are becoming cheaper and cheaper and many countries have decided to depend more on them and less on fossil fuels to meet their electricity production needs while reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

But this is not enough. Electricity generation only accounts for around 25% of all GHGs emitted worldwide every year. I.e., even if we were capable of producing all the electricity we consume without emitting a single GHG molecule (something that still seems far off), we would only eliminate a quarter of the emissions that cause global warming.

In fact, to prevent the effects of climate change we would have to achieve net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy by 2050, leaving the target on track for this decade. We have to decarbonise not only electricity generation, but also other sectors which are jointly responsible for the remaining three-quarters of the emissions. These sectors, which account for 75% of the problem, include: agriculture (24% of global emissions), manufacture (21%), transport (14%), buildings (6%), and other (10%).

Such percentages help to better understand the complexity of the climate change challenge, reminding us how GHG emissions are related to multiple aspects of our everyday life: from the food we eat and the products we use to the buildings we live in. To prevent further global warming, we need to change how we manufacture things, grow food crops, move people and consumer goods, build buildings, etc.  

It is clear that, in order to stabilise the global temperature, there is no single technological solution, but rather many that complement each other. It will be necessary to apply different technologies in each economic sector and for these to multiply their R&D&i efforts. Likewise, it is essential for governments to promote, beyond any ideological sectarianism, major alliances based on science and technology that include companies, investors, and citizens. And also, that assume strict technological neutrality. I.e., that are committed, without determinism or prohibitions, to options that will enable the maximum reduction of tons of GHGs at the lowest cost for society and citizens, and with the greatest positive impact on industry and employment. All technologies should be able to compete, on equal terms, sector by sector and case by case, to be the most efficient to decarbonise the planet.

Article published in La Vanguardia.