As we enter 2012, we also acknowledge strong headwinds in the form of an embattled global deal, low carbon prices, and increased carbon emissions even during the economic recession.
However, there is a lot to be hopeful for in this new year. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the world has invested $1,000,000,000,000 (Trillion) in clean technology to date, with $234B invested in 2010 alone. At Carbon War Room, much has also been accomplished to complement that astounding figure. We are on track to find the $70B in fuel-saving opportunity in the shipping industry as well as provide a clear pathway to solve the Rubik’s cube that will put even more money into building energy efficiency financing by 2020. Our latest announcement took the fight to the liquid fuels marketplace – specifically renewable fuels for aviation.
2012 is our moment.
With over 10% of global electricity coming from burning high-cost diesel fuel and 20% of global electricity markets paying over $0.20/kWh – renewable electricity will grow by leaps and bounds in 2012. Mobile billing and other innovations will extend this reach to the 543 million that have mobile phones with no electricity in their homes. With 2012 being the United Nations Year of Energy Access for All, there is a much-needed focus on the opportunity to pull the poorest from the unsafe and hazardous use of fossil fuel energy and into the cleaner future.
When we started in 2009, people thought our theory of change was a distraction. Today, the private sector’s optimism was one of the major reasons that China and India agreed to emissions regulation in Durban. These countries and their citizens now see this for what it is – the largest wealth creation opportunity for their people. As far back as the 1970s, research in clean water, clean electricity, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, more productive agriculture, and other areas were explored. Today mature technologies are ready for large-scale deployment.
People now recognize that those who say “these technologies are fantastic, they are just not ready” are actually a voice against progress. We have the technology, the workforce, the passion, and the knowledge. What we are lacking is confidence from our leaders, confidence from our finance ministers, and confidence from our financial institutions that this is actually the right course of action. It is only by convincing everyone that 50% of global climate emissions can be profitably offset with today’s technologies that we will win.
It is time for us to diversify our approach to this problem. Do we need a global price on carbon? Of course. While we wait for politicians, we have the tools to create a functioning marketplace so that we can get started on cost effective technologies at scale. This world needs more “doers” not talkers.
Corporations and society need a “push.” Entrepreneurship, in all of its forms, can save us from the challenge that is climate change. It is time that those of us who believe that this is a future of hope, with prosperity for all, and the economic opportunity of our generation to stop talking and start doing. It is the only way to get the global economy and our world’s natural ecosystems back on track.
So please join us in the fight. The Carbon War Room looks forward to seeing you and your colleagues at our Washington D.C. Creating Climate Wealth conference in March. In addition, we will be hosting Creating Climate Wealth conferences throughout the year in Australia (May), Berlin (June), London (October) and Singapore (November).
Best regards,
The Carbon War Room
