Τζον Κέρι: Οι ΗΠΑ θα αποκαλύψουν μια παγκόσμια στρατηγική για την προώθηση της πυρηνικής σύντηξης στο COP28
Ο απεσταλμένος των ΗΠΑ για το κλίμα Τζον Κέρι αποκάλυψε τη Δευτέρα ότι οι ΗΠΑ θα αποκαλύψουν μια παγκόσμια στρατηγική για την προώθηση της πυρηνικής σύντηξης στο COP28, αναφέρει ο Άλαν Νόιχάουζερ του Axios.com.
Κατάσταση παιχνιδιού: Ακολουθεί τις πρόσφατες εξελίξεις από το Τμήμα Ενέργειας και τις νεοφυείς επιχειρήσεις.
- Ο Kerry το χαρακτήρισε “αναδυόμενη λύση για το κλίμα” σε μια δήλωση παράλληλα με την επίσκεψή του στη νεοφυή εταιρεία της Μασαχουσέτης Commonwealth Fusion Systems χθες.
Έλεγχος πραγματικότητας: Θεωρητικά, η σύντηξη θα μπορούσε να σημαίνει σχεδόν απεριόριστη ισχύ χωρίς άνθρακα χωρίς τα επικίνδυνα απόβλητα από τους παραδοσιακούς αντιδραστήρες σχάσης.
- Αλλά υπάρχει ένας μακρύς και αβέβαιος επιστημονικός, τεχνικός και οικονομικός δρόμος για την εμπορευματοποίηση αυτού του μακροχρόνιου άπιαστου ιερού δισκοπότηρου.
Η ίντριγκα: Ο Γκουτέρες θέλει έναν δρόμο για τον τερματισμό των ορυκτών καυσίμων. Ο Κέρι είναι πιο προσεκτικός και θέλει οι εταιρείες πετρελαίου και φυσικού αερίου να εργαστούν για να συλλάβουν τις εκπομπές τους και να κατευθυνθούν προς το καθαρό μηδέν.
Το συμπέρασμα: Εννέα ημέρες απομένουν μέχρι το COP28, μαθαίνουμε περισσότερα για το τι να περιμένουμε — και πού βρίσκονται τα σφάλματα
-Kerry, UN boss show more COP28 cards
Two pivotal figures in climate diplomacy are offering more information about what they want from COP28 and beyond, Ben and Andrew write.
Driving the news: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres wants aggressive country plans that “plot a course for ending fossil fuels,” he said Monday.
- Other asks for these plans include “clear 2030 and 2035 targets” and alignment with long-shot Paris goalof limiting warming to 1.5°C degrees, he said Monday.
Why it matters: The remarks signal what the UN boss hopes will follow the first “global stocktake” under the Paris Agreement at COP28.
- That’s the formal process to gauge where the world stands in the fight against climate change — and how to course correct.
Quick take: He’s planting another flag ahead of expected battles at COP28 over whether the summit should endorse a phaseout of fossil fuels.
Catch up fast: Guterres spoke at the rollout of UN projections that Earth will warm catastrophically beyond Paris targets under nations’ current pledges.
- These non-binding targets, called “nationally determined contributions,” are central to the Paris Agreement’s architecture.
What’s next: He’s heading to Antarctica in a pre-COP trip to see climate impacts up close as the UN tries to underscore the summit’s stakes.
Meanwhile, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry revealed Monday that the U.S. will unveil a global strategy for advancing nuclear fusion at COP28, Axios’ Alan Neuhauser reports.
State of play: It follows recent advances by the Energy Department and startups.
- Kerry called it an “emerging climate solution” in a statement alongside his visit to Massachusetts startup Commonwealth Fusion Systems yesterday.
Reality check: In theory, fusion could mean almost limitless carbon-free power without the dangerous waste from traditional fission reactors.
- But there’s a long and uncertain scientific, technical and financial road to commercializing this long-elusive holy grail.
The intrigue: Guterres wants a path to ending fossil fuels. Kerry is more cautious and wants oil and gas companies to work toward capturing their emissions and heading toward net zero.
The bottom line: With nine days to go until COP28, we’re learning more about what to expect — and where the fault lines lie.
A “hard, but achievable” COP28 goal
Sick of pie-in-the-sky climate pledges? Take heart — a goal likely headed for endorsement at COP28 is both consequential and achievable, Ben writes.
Driving the news: Two new analyses find tripling global renewables capacity by 2030 is possible with stronger investment and policy support.
Why it matters: Analysts call that metric vital because it helps displace coal and gas even amid rising overall power demand.
- Tripling is endorsed by, among others, COP28 head Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber of the United Arab Emirates.
State of play: BloombergNEF notes the last tripling took 12 years (see above), but that market changes make doing it again in eight “hard, but achievable.”
- “Wind and solar are now the cheapest sources of new generation in most countries, making such a goal more feasible than ever,” the firm notes.
- Meanwhile, a separate analysisfrom climate think tank Ember reaches largely the same conclusion.
Yes, but: A lot has to break right.
- BloombergNEF estimates investment needs at over $1 trillion annually — roughly double last year’s levels. And big grid investments are needed too.
- Ember notes that governments are already on a path to doubling capacity by 2030 but that national targets should become more ambitious.
The intrigue: BloombergNEF warns that solar, which is booming, shouldn’t shoulder too much of the weight, due to low capacity factors and seasonal variations.
- Tripling while relying too much on solar “will not see the same impact on electricity generation, nor emissions reductions, as one with a more diverse fleet of renewables.”
-Battery player claims breakthrough and more tech notes
Swedish battery producer Northvolt says it has developed a sodium-ion product that’s free of lithium, nickel, cobalt and graphite, Ben writes.
- Why it matters:Battery firms are seeking chemistries that reduce their exposure to volatile and competitive markets for several key minerals.
- The intrigue:CEO Peter Carlsson tells the FT it means “we are not that dependent on a number of these strategic supply chains that China has created in a very efficient way.”
- State of play: Northvoltsaid the battery is initially aimed at stationary storage markets. It said lower costs and safety at high temperatures makes it a good fit for markets in India, the Middle East and Africa.
Direct air capture firm Climeworks and carbon removal developer Deep Sky this morning announced a partnership aimed at building large-scale projects in Canada.
- Why it matters:Climeworks is among the companies furthest along in the nascent DAC sector, while the young firm Deep Sky has been increasingly active in fundraising and working with removal startups.
Via the Wall Street Journal, “Australian iron-ore titan Fortescue Metals Group approved a $550 million green hydrogen project in Arizona, the centerpiece of an initial slate of projects aimed at recasting the company founded by billionaire Andrew Forrest as a clean energy giant.”
– News you can use: holiday EV rentals
Thousands of travelers could find themselves behind the wheel of a rented electric vehicle for the first time this holiday season — whether they chose to rent one or not, Axios’ Joann Muller reports.
Why it matters: Companies like Hertz and Avis have beefed up their EV fleets and are offering substantial discounts over traditional models.
- Even if you bypassed the EV offerings for a traditional sedan or SUV when booking, you might get to the counter and find EVs are all that’s left.
Be smart: Renting an EV can be a great way to try before you buy. But EVs can be quirky if you’re not prepared — think different starting systems, doors and more.
What’s next: Some stress avoidance tips…
Get familiar with the car before leaving the rental lot. Ask questions; rental agents don’t often provide much instruction.
Know the battery range and consider the weather where you’re going (cold temps can lower range).
Explore charging options ahead of time. Some — but not all — cars’ navigation systems will suggest locations along your route.
- But you can prepare early by downloading Tesla’s app or other route-planning apps, like A Better Route Planner, PlugShare or Chargeway.
Some hotels have chargers, but call ahead to verify.
Πηγή: axios.com
