The scientific community has made it clear: if we do not tackle climate change now by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, global warming will become irreversible and catastrophic.

Many are hopeful that the Paris climate talks will produce an agreement between nations that will define an effective global strategy for the next century and beyond. But many believe that we are still too far from a world where renewable energy is the norm, instead of the alternative.

A recent study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and a paper by Stanford University bring to light the possibility of having a 100% renewables-powered world sooner than we might expect, stating that this path is both technically feasible and economically viable.

IRENA proposes five key points in order to make 100% renewables-powered energy by 2030 a reality:

  1. Mobilize investments in renewable energy
  2. Harness the cross-cutting impact of renewable energy on sustainable development
  3. Strengthen the policy commitment to renewable energy
  4. Build institutional, technical and human capacity to support renewable energy deployment
  5. Enhance regional engagement and international cooperation on renewable energy development

The Stanford University report lays out a roadmap for 139 countries to reach 100% renewable energy by the year 2050. Click on the image below to explore an interactive map that showcases the benefits of a transition to 100% clean, renewable power.

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Mark Jacobson, professor and main author of the report said:

I hope that the 139 country roadmaps will give confidence to leaders of the world that going to 100% clean, renewable energy for all purposes will not only provide reliable power at low cost, but will also create 22 million more jobs worldwide.

According to the report, the transition to 100% renewable energy would generate 26.5 million jobs (each expected to last 35 years) and 24 million construction jobs for the energy facilities. The transition would also bring to an end the 4.6 million premature air pollution deaths currently happening every year.

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Even though both reports make clear how a transition to a 100% renewables-powered world would be possible, we still have a long way to go before we set on a clear path towards it. There are only three countries (Norway, Paraguay and Iceland) that have converted more than 30% of their energy generation to renewables. The world average for this sort of conversion currently stands at 3.8%.

The study concludes: “The conversion to 100% renewables is technically and economically feasible. The main barriers are still social and political.”

Jacobson will be attending COP21 next week to present the report.

Have you read?
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Author: José Santiago, Digital Content Specialist, Public Engagement, World Economic Forum

Image: A man walks next to solar panels (bottom L) at a soon-to-be completed solucar solar park at Sanlucar La Mayor, near Seville REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo