Climate positive policies not enough alone to solve emissions crisis

DNV GL calls for action on five key strategies to accelerate global decarbonization

ARNHEM, The Netherlands, 30 November 2020 – Political leaders are making strides in climate change this month with election commitments from President-elect Biden in the US, UK Prime Minister Johnson launching a 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and the European Union unveiling plans to increase offshore windfarm capacity 25-fold as part of the Green Deal, but more action is required to get in striking distance of the Paris Agreement, according to DNV GL.

Cross sector industry support is needed to boost investment, technology and skills to transition at the rate required to meet climate targets, according to a report released today by DNV GL.

The final report in DNV GL’s ‘Transition Faster Together’ 2020 series summarizes the strategies and solutions needed to speed up the energy transition. DNV GL, which has the largest resource of independent energy experts globally, has put forward five calls to action to help a faster transition to a clean energy future. These include governments increasing policy support along with economic stimulus packages, enabling investment in emerging technologies, re-skilling and a greater focus on cross-sector partnerships.

The series brought together experts and industry leaders to share their views on three areas vital to accelerating the energy transition: renewables, power grids and energy efficiency. In its recently launched Energy Transition Outlook, DNV GL predicts that by mid-century, 62% of the world’s electricity needs will come from solar and wind, generated by 17,000 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar and wind capacity. But the predicted growth in renewables is far from enough to meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, despite a shifting sentiment from policy makers.

Ditlev Engel, CEO at DNV GL-Energy said: “With COVID-19, normal life has changed dramatically in 2020, however as we endure these tough times, the climate emergency persists. We can be encouraged by recent world commitments towards climate positive policies, but that is only one part of the necessary movement needed to shift the emissions dial. While many governments are proficient at putting together strategies for energy programs, it will not be fast enough, according to our forecast .”

The first call to action is greater support to develop and deploy new technologies. Emerging technologies such as bifacial solar modules, larger wind turbines, floating solar and floating wind will play an increasing role over the next five years. To accommodate an increase in renewables, power grids will need the ability to integrate new technologies more quickly. By supporting the development and deployment of new technology for generation and distribution of clean electricity, the move from innovation to established and proven climate change solution will accelerate.

The second is urging governments to increase climate commitments and act quickly to bring in policy and regulatory frameworks. Although renewable energy technologies are becoming less dependent on government support, decarbonization projects face continued transition risks related to policy making and slow implementation. Without a higher degree of cross-party cohesion, policy uncertainty and delay will continue.

The third call is to focus post-COVID investment to accelerate the energy transition. A global pandemic creates the risk that long-term economic uncertainty will dampen climate initiatives, but it also presents an opportunity to focus enormous economic stimulus packages on long-term sustainable solutions. Governments around the world need to commit to post-pandemic economic stimulus packages that will drive the uptake of low or zero carbon solutions.

The final two calls of action are to find ways to foster cross-collaboration within sectors and to encourage workforce skills to join the fast moving and exciting energy industry.

Mr Engel added: “The energy sector needs to recruit and reskill aggressively in the next decade to enable its workforce to keep pace with the energy transition. The workforce needs be agile, diverse, technologically and digitally adept to adjust and keep abreast of changes. The technology to enable digital transformation is available but this technology is only as good as the people who use it.

“Organizations need to invest in practical skills training combined with a mindset shift to ensure their employees have the expertise to add value on top of technology implementation. We need a combination of solutions to set a new path that is sustainable and people-centred. As a global energy industry, we need to join forces and do everything in our power to ensure we transition faster together.”

‘Transition Faster Together: 2020 conclusions is the final in a series of five reports by DNV GL highlighting solutions and ideas to help accelerate the energy transition.

Download the full Transition Faster: 2020 Conclusions report 
Download all Transition Faster Reports 
Download the Energy Transition Outlook 2020 report

About DNV GL
DNV GL is the independent expert in risk management and quality assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV GL advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions. Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analyzing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV GL enables its customers and their stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence.

Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV GL helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.

In the power and renewables industry
DNV GL delivers advisory, certification and testing services to stakeholders in the energy value chain. Our expertise spans energy markets and regulations, onshore and offshore wind and solar power generation, power transmission and distribution grids, energy storage and sustainable energy use. Our experts support customers around the globe in delivering a safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy supply.

Learn more at www.dnvgl.com/power-renewables