In September 2023, the IEA announced an updated Net Zero Roadmap (available at https://bit.ly/3F6Abse), which shows that due to record growth in clean energy technologies, it is still possible to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. This seems somewhat contrary to earlier reports from the IPCC and others, which project that we are likely to hit 1.5ºC in the next five years. The IEA itself reports that many of the required actions to meet net zero are not on track. Credible commentators talk about a 1.5ºC overshoot and consider massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) drawdowns will be essential if we are to ultimately stabilise our climate. The difference between the IEA’s Roadmap and its tracking reports is that the Roadmap lays out what is needed to achieve the desired ‘possible’ outcome, whereas the tracking reports monitor actual progress and then assess what is probable. In a sense, the IEA has laid out a new challenge: to turn the possible into the probable. To paraphrase the IEA, it will take ‘strong international co-operation’ and ‘Governments need to separate climate from geopolitics’. Politicians must stay the course and recognise that investment in the energy transition and clean energy infrastructure is essential for social stability and economically prudent. Acting now will avoid much higher costs in the longer term. Decarbonisation Technology magazine brings together the global community working to deliver the energy transition by sharing the progress in developing and deploying clean energy technologies and implementing policies that drive and support the transition. This edition has a focus on maritime transport, with articles on the International Maritime Organization’s revised GHG strategy and developments in new marine engines designed for flexibility to use a range of low-carbon fuels. The importance of regulatory support for the emerging hydrogen economy is discussed, with a call for alignment on global standards. The importance of hydrogen hubs within industrial clusters is also highlighted. This last point is exemplified in the article on the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley and the hydrogen corridor between South and North Europe. As the IEA stresses, there is little point in the drawdown of CO 2 unless we also minimise CO 2 emissions by transitioning to renewable energy sources and capturing the carbon from residual fossil fuel combustion during the transition. In this context, research into minimising carbon emissions from concrete production is also valuable. Returning to the IEA Net Zero Roadmap, we need to accelerate investments in renewable energy production, drive for energy efficiency, and minimise methane emissions as well as CO₂ during the transition.
Managing Editor Rachel Storry
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Consulting Editor Robin Nelson robin.nelson@ decarbonisationtechnology.com
Editorial Assistant Lisa Harrison lisa.harrison@emap.com
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Managing Director Richard Watts richard.watts@emap.com
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