Recognising the diversity of solutions and differences between local energy systems, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has analysed, mapped and categorised solutions from around the world aimed at facilitating the integration of variable renewable power. The report’s goal is to make life easier for policy makers and help them understand the most apt solutions for their power systems. IRENA also urges decision makers to continually revisit and update market policies and those in place to drive technological innovation to keep up with new developments and breakthroughs. 

Resource extraction and processing are responsible for about half of global greenhouse gas emissions, finds the latest Global Resources Outlook from UN Environment. Published every four years based on research by the International Resource Panel, the report says economically attractive and technologically feasible alternatives exist. The climate change impacts from the extraction and production of metals approximately doubled from 2000 to 2015, with the iron-steel production chain the worst offender. The authors also highlight the massive increase in fossil fuel electricity generation capacity and underline the importance of policy makers taking the right infrastructure decisions to avoid lock in of environmentally harmful technologies.

Building the infrastructure to decarbonise the EU’s energy system by 2050 through large amounts of green gas could be up to 36% more expensive than through energy efficiency and smart electrification, concludes Towards fossil-free energy in 2050, a report from UK consultancy Element Energy and Cambridge Econometrics, commissioned by the European Climate Foundation. Developed with input from renewable energy organisations, the gas industry, car companies and others, the report’s scenarios do not rely entirely on direct electrification, but instead underline its complementarity with carbon-neutral green gases and heat networks.