Transcript The Post Carbon Society - Austrian Institute of Economic

The Post Carbon Society
Klausegger Nina
Kulmer Ulrike
Nemiri Sabrina-Sigrid
Background

Emissions are results of human activities

Society has to reduce consumption of
fossil fuels

Develope renewable energy sources and
technologies
Factors of growth
Increasing world population and
world energy demand
The role of the politics

Managing climate change can be an
efficient stimulus to growth

New technologies and investments to
improve the environmental system and
sustainability

Richer countries are mainly responsible
for actual climate change
Example: The Swedish
Government

Since 1990:
◦ Increase of GDP 40%
◦ Decrease of Emissions 7%

Every tenth car with bio fuel

Most important target to reach this goal:
◦ End Swedens dependence on oil, gas and coal
until 2020
Example: The Swedish
Government (2)

Targets:
◦ In the road transport sector 40-50% of oil use
should be reduced and new fuels should be
used.
◦ Homes and business buildings have to be
heated without oil.
◦ Industry must reduce its oil use by 25-40%.
Effect of Technology on Mobility

Average distance travelled
◦ in China: 3 km
◦ in Europe: 35 km
◦ In USA: 74 km
Increasing distance, higher speed,
time budget stays the same
The European Commission
report “Towards a Post
Carbon Society”

The reduction of energy
o 20 % share of renewables by 2020
o 10 % biofuel

The liberation of gas and electricity markets
o crucial for competition
o EU very dependent on Russia for gas

The EU Emission Trading Scheme
o reducing greenhouse gases at lowest costs
Critic
Barely any mention of renewable energy
 Supports additional nuclear energy
 Ignores the problems of biofuel

◦ rising corn prices
◦ world hunger problem
The European Green
Capital Award
Starting with 2010
 Given by the European Commission
 Requirements

◦ Having achieved high environmental standards
◦ Commitment to further improvement
◦ Acting as a role model for other European cities

First winner: Stockholm
Post Carbon Cities
Project of the Post Carbon Institute
 Basic idea: act locally
 Role of smaller cities

◦ use of local renewable energy
◦ creation of local jobs
◦ advantage in sustainable agriculture
Calls for relocalization of cities
 Emphasizes the role of local governments

Post Carbon Cities
What can local governments do?
 Transportation and Land use
 Private energy consumption
 Attack problems piece-by-piece and from
many angles
 Plan for fundamental changes and make
them happen
 Build a sense of community
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEv12li9
hyI&feature=related