EDITOR ' S LETTER Carbon emissions take centre stage
Net zero targets are coming sharper into view but can countries deliver on ambitious timeframes ?
“ The perennial challenge is not so much agreeing on the urgency of the climate crisis but delivering tangible measures ”
One step forward , two steps back . Climate change commitments announced at the Leaders ’ Summit were overshadowed by an IEA report stating global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are on course to surge by 1.5 billion tonnes in 2021 – the second-largest increase in history .
The perennial challenge is not so much agreeing on the urgency of the climate crisis but delivering tangible measures that can filter down to every country and community – and quickly .
Whether it ’ s solar , wind or hydrogen , or heat pumps , fuel cells and electric vehicles – there ’ s no shortage of exciting developments , all underpinned by digital transformation and the constant growth in AI , ML and data analytics . Renewables-powered Scotland is an undoubted success story and the breadth of onshore and offshore activity is testament to the changes underway .
But there ’ s no time for complacency . As economies eagerly look to spur into action after COVID , the challenge is to manage growth sustainably .
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