Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d10.0427

Material efficiency and global pathways towards 100% renewable energy systems – system dynamics findings on potentials and constraints

Kai Neumann orcid.org/0000-0002-0238-5712 ; Consideo GmbH, Luebeck, Germany
Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers orcid.org/0000-0002-9761-8143 ; Ecologic Institute, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Global climate mitigation requires a renewable energy transition. Due to interactions between energy demand and material use, improvements in material efficiency promise to contribute to climate mitigation. To analyse such potentials, system dynamics modelling was applied to test four different scenarios towards a 100% renewable energy world. The model findings show that a 100% renewable energy world with zero greenhouse gas emissions seems feasible. However, the chosen pathway matters. While material efficiency reduces emissions and increases availability of secondary raw materials for renewable energy generation, only absolute reductions in energy demand through sufficiency-oriented lifestyles and sustainable choices in food, housing, and mobility seem able to achieve emission reductions needed to stay within 1.5-degree warming. Here, international policies are needed to create globally equitable opportunities for decent lifestyles in a safe and just planetary space.

Keywords

Climate-resource nexus; Material efficiency; biotic resources; renewable energy potential and constraints; System dynamics modelling

Hrčak ID:

287183

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/287183

Publication date:

31.12.2022.

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