Speaker 1: Prof Mark Swilling: "Unlocking a just energy transition for SA"

Summary

The global renewable energy revolution is advancing, with investments in renewables outpacing those in fossil fuels and nuclear energy. This shift could lead to a just transition, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals' vision of eradicating poverty without damaging the planet. However, there's a risk of an unjust transition that maintains inequality. The renewable energy sector's potential for democratization and its impact on politics and economics are highlighted, with a focus on the importance of public and community-based investments in driving a just and sustainable energy future.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The global renewable energy revolution is already underway, with annual investments in renewables exceeding those in fossil fuels and nuclear energy combined.
• 🔄 A just transition implies moving towards a transformed world as outlined in the SDGs, focusing on eradicating poverty without compromising the planet's sustainability.
• 🚫 The risk of an unjust transition exists, where the shift to a decarbonized world does not address or may even exacerbate existing inequalities and poverty.
• ⚖️ The potential for a just transition lies in the directionality of the renewable energy revolution, which could steer the world towards energy democratization.
• ⏳ Significant growth in renewable energy is evident, with solar being the fastest-growing sector and investments in renewables set to increase substantially by 2030.
• 💡 The renewable energy sector's potential to drive a just transition is contingent on the alignment of public and private investments, community-based investments, and the right policy frameworks.
• 🏭 China is a major player in renewable energy, with substantial investment and production, often licensing technology from German companies.
• 📉 The decline in energy return on energy invested (EROI) for fossil fuels is a significant driver for the shift towards renewable energy, as the cost of extraction becomes less viable.
• 🌐 The digitization of energy grids and the integration of renewable energy with new communication systems are essential for a decentralized and distributed renewable energy system.
• 🏛️ The politics of renewable energy could lead to new forms of decentralized and participatory politics, contrasting with the centralized nature of fossil fuel industries.
• 🌿 The directionality of the renewable energy revolution will be key in determining whether it leads to a just transition, with the potential for community-based and public ownership models.

Q & A

What is the current state of global investment in renewable energy compared to fossil fuels and nuclear energy?

The global investment in renewable energy is currently double the total investments in fossil fuels and nuclear energy combined.

What does a 'just transition' imply in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

A 'just transition' implies a transition to a transformed world as referred to in the preamble of the SDGs, which essentially means achieving SDG number one, the eradication of poverty without causing environmental damage.

What is the potential danger in the renewable energy transition as discussed in the script?

The potential danger is making an 'unjust transition', which is a transition to a decarbonized world that leaves inequality and poverty largely intact.

How does the renewable energy revolution have the potential to influence the direction of the transition to a transformed world?

The renewable energy revolution contains the potential for giving directionality to the transition to a transformed world envisioned in the SDGs, through energy democratization or energy democracy.

What are the three shifts that typically lead to major industrial transformations?

The three shifts that typically lead to major industrial transformations are the emergence of a new energy system, a new mobility system, and a new communication system.

How much of the total generated energy was provided by renewables in 2016, and what was the growth rate in 2017?

In 2016, renewables provided 26% of the total generated energy, and in 2017, renewables grew by 9% year-on-year.

Which country is a significant player in renewable energy investment, and how much has its investment grown?

China is a significant player in renewable energy investment, growing from about 2 billion in 2002 to 100 billion in 2014, and 265 billion in 2017.

What is the estimated total investment in renewables between 2014 and 2030 according to Bloomberg?

Bloomberg estimates that the total investment in renewables between 2014 and 2030 will be about 5.1 trillion.

What is the significance of the energy return on energy invested (EROI) in the context of the renewable energy revolution?

EROI is a metric that asks how much energy is needed to generate a unit of energy. It is significant because it reflects the decline in energy efficiency as we move from conventional to unconventional energy sources.

What are the implications of renewable energy infrastructures being decentralized and distributed?

The decentralization and distribution of renewable energy infrastructures imply potential for a new form of decentralized, community-based, participatory, and inclusionary politics, which could drive a just transition.

What role did cooperatives play in the early phases of the renewable energy revolution in Denmark and Germany?

In Denmark and Germany, cooperatives were the driving forces behind the wind and solar revolutions, respectively, with a significant number of households involved and a focus on open learning environments and rapid innovation.