Roadmaps Towards Sustainable Energy Futures
What should future energy systems look like? What political decisions have to be made in order to facilitate the wider-scale use of renewable energies? What do the different development paths to sustainable energy systems cost? The Roadmaps Towards Sustainable Energy Futures project provides the answers to these questions.
Structure and Organization
Roadmaps Towards Sustainable Energy Futures is a one-of-a-kind project funded by Stiftung Mercator and conducted by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Headed by Professor Ottmar Edenhofer, the PIK's Head Economist, a team consisting of members from Germany, Italy, China and the US is working on models for the development of low-carbon energy systems that provide guidance to political decision-makers. These models for the first time take into account different starting points and technical and economic dynamics in different countries. The results of the three-year project will provide vital input for the fifth IPCC Assessment Report, which will be the most significant reference document for future climate protection measures.
Regarding practicability and costs of converting existing energy systems into more climate friendly ones the discourses in Europe, China and the US differ markedly. Through the involvement of American and Chinese scientists the project aims to build a common understanding of the economic aspects of climate protection policies.
Objectives
Stiftung Mercator is stepping up its activities to promote a climate-friendly future through its involvement in this project. The need for international consensus on policies for social and economic change is becoming increasingly clear. Science plays a crucial role for the implementation of such policies by providing relevant concepts for decision-making processes. Stiftung Mercator is providing 1,240,000 euros in funding over a three-year period to the Roadmaps Towards Sustainable Energy Futures project.