The need for a factual, scientific energy dialogue

Mcountries have signed up to the Paris Accord within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which came into force in November 2016. The agreement’s primary goal was to limit the rise of the earth’s temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. A lot has happened since the drafting of the agreement. The planet has been raging with unprecedented levels of wildfires, floods, and powerful tropical storms. Scientists analyzed the situation with growing concerns and several OECD governments started to act first, announcing that their countries would go carbon neutral by 2050.

The young sprang into action. A schoolgirl from Sweden, Greta Thunberg, started her school strike for the environment last year. She was able to garner the attention of hundreds of thousands of young people and turn her activism into a movement.

Politicians reacted to the voice of the young by declaring even more ambitious climate goals. They heeded demands to bring a carbon neutral economy forward to 2030.

This brings us to what is realistic and feasible and how the dialogue can become less polarized. Currently, there is a debate among climate change activists. They move comfortably in their own bubble advocating a climate emergency and at times drastic measures. On the other side of the equation industry circles and analysts have their own conferences, where they point out that fossil fuels will be needed well into the latter half of this century and that global oil demand will be growing into the 2030s or even 2040s. The problem is that both circles engage primarily with themselves and fail to reach across for a constructive, reasonable factual dialogue.

This situation is very dangerous. Politicians get carried away by the demands from the streets, especially as they represent an untapped reservoir of young voters. Their policy suggestions at times reflect aspirations rather than the art of the possible. The question has to be how we can achieve our ambitious climate change goals while keeping the lights on. The debate has to be broadened to address the climate versus security of energy supply conundrum.

The current political climate in several OECD countries puts pressure on many sectors, especially finance. Last week’s decision by the European Investment Bank to cease funding all carbon-based sources of fuel including the relatively clean gas was significant.

Such institutions are the lenders of last resort, which means that what they do gets noticed by commercial financial institutions and may be followed over time. Insurers such as AXA, Swiss Re or Munich Re have already engaged on this course with respect to coal.

Another example is the livestock industry. Many advocate alternative meats and vegetarianism. That may be an interesting notion. We have to remember though, that in many developing countries, meat and eggs are the only available sources of protein.

This is an important debate and both sides owe it to future generations to carry it out in a civilized manner, genuinely listening to each other’s arguments. While we need to take care of the planet, we also need to ensure secure and affordable access to energy.

The debate affects both energy producers and consumers in equal measure and will necessitate changes in behavior on both sides. The basis of the conversation has to be facts and science not emotions.