Sustainable energy roadmaps

Worldwide, over 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity and another 1 billion have unreliable access, with enormous consequences for their everyday lives. In addition, many countries spend a high share of their GDP on fossil fuel imports, making them dependent on foreign energy supplies and vulnerable to price fluctuations. The burning of fossil fuels pollutes local environments, endangers the health of citizens, and exacerbates global climate change. Fortunately, alternatives to our currently unsustainable energy system exist. Although progress has been slow on reaching a global agreement to address human-caused climate change, recent years have seen vast improvements in energy efficiency as well as unprecedented growth in renewable energy. Communities around the world are demonstrating the possibility of moving toward energy systems that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. This volume's roadmaps provide decision makers with a comprehensive toolkit for transitioning to sustainable energy. They examine opportunities for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and grid technologies; explore technical barriers and opportunities; and analyze socioeconomic impacts, including job creation. The roadmaps can be applied in a wide variety of locations and at multiple levels of political organization, offering a long-term vision for energy development as well as specific policy, governance, and financial steps that are critical to making the shift to sustainable energy a reality.