23.12.2020 Views

Service - Leadership in Government - Issue 75

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

S<br />

energy<br />

The global<br />

green recovery<br />

The pandemic is the first crisis of its k<strong>in</strong>d with<br />

unusual implications for the energy <strong>in</strong>dustry. A<br />

sharp drop <strong>in</strong> carbon emissions has revealed<br />

the size of the climate change challenge.<br />

Covid-19 and the oil shock have jo<strong>in</strong>tly disrupted the<br />

global transition to green energy. Bus<strong>in</strong>esses that had<br />

been establish<strong>in</strong>g their position <strong>in</strong> a low-carbon world<br />

are now fixated on short-term stability. As the <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />

beg<strong>in</strong>s to look forward, the game rules have changed,<br />

and old strategies need re-exam<strong>in</strong>ation. Players that<br />

understand the impact of their strategies and are agile<br />

to adapt will be the w<strong>in</strong>ners <strong>in</strong> the transition race.<br />

DEMAND FOR ENERGY TOOK A DRAMATIC TURN<br />

The pandemic illum<strong>in</strong>ated the challenge to achieve<br />

climate change goals. The global lockdowns reduced<br />

daily carbon emissions by 17% compared with the 2019<br />

average, <strong>in</strong>dicat<strong>in</strong>g a potential total annual emissions<br />

decl<strong>in</strong>e of 4-7% – the largest reduction <strong>in</strong> history<br />

(Figure 1). This drop accompanied an unprecedented<br />

global economic paralysis along with a massive and rapid<br />

shift <strong>in</strong> consumers’ behaviours.<br />

To achieve climate targets and keep global warm<strong>in</strong>g<br />

below 1.5°C, global emissions need to drop by about<br />

7.6% annually until 2030. Achiev<strong>in</strong>g this target <strong>in</strong> an<br />

economically susta<strong>in</strong>able way is a Herculean task.<br />

The rapid spread of Covid-19 triggered an<br />

unparalleled change <strong>in</strong> the demand for energy as the<br />

world came to a halt. Three trends quickly disrupted the<br />

world’s energy markets:<br />

Klipheuwel W<strong>in</strong>d Farm<br />

___ __<br />

As the <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />

beg<strong>in</strong>s to look<br />

forward, the game<br />

rules have changed,<br />

and old strategies<br />

need re-exam<strong>in</strong>ation.<br />

www.kearney.com<br />

Figure 1<br />

Pandemic-related<br />

lockdowns caused<br />

carbon emissions<br />

to drop<br />

Global CO 2 emissions from fossil fuels<br />

(GtCO 2 )<br />

Impact of Covid-19:<br />

NOTE: Additional CO 2<br />

emissions from land-use<br />

change and forestry are<br />

not <strong>in</strong>cluded. Assum<strong>in</strong>g<br />

that CO 2 emissions from<br />

other sources and other<br />

greenhouse gases, such<br />

as methane, will follow<br />

the same reduction trends<br />

as CO 2 emissions from<br />

fossil fuels. Scenarios<br />

presented correspond<br />

to 66% probability.<br />

Source: Global Carbon Project; Nature Climate Change, 18 May 2020; UN Environment Program, Emissions Gap Report 2019; International Energy Agency; CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2019; Kearney analysis<br />

8 | <strong>Service</strong> magaz<strong>in</strong>e

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!