The Beginning of the End?

Does 2015 mark the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era?

For the first time:

• EU interim 2030 target set on road to 80%–95% emissions reduction by 2050
  EU leaders agree on a 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 40% compared to 1990 levels.
  • Targets up to 2050
  • 2030 Framework for climate and energy policies

• Architecture 2030 presents Roadmap to Zero Emissions
  Architecture 2030 presents the Roadmap to Zero Emissions at the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) CCXG Global Forum in Paris, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Bonn.
  • On the Road to Zero
  • Roadmap to Zero Emissions

• UIA pledges to phase out carbon by 2050
  The International Union of Architects (UIA), with member organizations representing over 1.3 million architects in 124 countries worldwide, unanimously adopted the 2050 Imperative, a declaration to eliminate CO2 emissions in the built environment by 2050.
  • Architects to phase out carbon by 2050
  • Architects pledge to phase out carbon by 2050
  • Forging a Climate Agreement May Have Just Gotten Easier

• OECD Secretary General and head of UNFCCC call for Zero Emissions
  “We are on a collision course with nature. Now is the time for us to take bold decisions.” (Angel Gurria, OECD)
  “No architect should design buildings that import a huge amount of energy. Each building should produce as least as much energy as it’s going to need.” (Christiana Figueres, UNFCC)
  • A call for Zero Emissions
  • We’ll Have a Global Climate Treaty in 2015

• Catholic bishops ask for “end to the fossil fuel era”; Pope Francis to issue climate change call to arms
  At the UNFCCC meeting in Lima, Catholic bishops from all continents asked all nations to “put an end to the fossil fuel era”. Pope Francis will call on the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics to address climate change.
  • Group of Catholic bishops call for end to fossil fuels
  • Catholic Bishops to Lima delegates: end fossil fuels, tend to vulnerable in climate deal
  • Pope Francis is Trying to Rally 1.2 Billion Catholics to Help Avert a Global Disaster

• Head of World Bank calls for “zero net emissions”
  The World Bank joins growing momentum behind the drive to ensure a 2015 climate deal will wipe out fossil fuel use.
  • World Bank chief calls for “zero net emissions” climate goal
  • Transforming the Economy to Achieve Zero Net Emissions

• Cities pledge zero or near zero carbon by 2050; Districts set 2030 targets
  Berlin, Boston, Boulder, Copenhagen, London, Melbourne, Minneapolis, New York, Oslo, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Stockholm, Sydney, Vancouver, Washington, DC, and Yokohama have committed to an 80% or greater reduction in emissions by 2050. 2030 Districts in Seattle, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Stamford, and Dallas set 50% energy, water and emissions reduction targets by 2030.
  • Cities Plan for 80% Emissions Reductions Through 2050
  • Copenhagen’s Ambitious Push to be Carbon Neutral by 2025
  • New York City Commits to 80% Emissions Reduction by 2050
  • 2030 Districts Growing Exponentially

• U.S. and China Announce Historic Climate Change Agreement
  The world’s two largest economies and GHG emitters agree to curb emissions, paving the way for a UNFCCC climate agreement in Paris in 2015.
  • U.S.–China Joint Announcement on Climate Change
  • Why the U.S.–China climate change deal is a triumph for both countries

• One hundred nations call for zero fossil fuels emissions
  This past month, one hundred nations at the UNFCCC meeting in Lima called for an end to fossil fuels.
  • UN climate talks call future of energy majors into question
  • Goal to end fossil fuels by 2050 surfaces in Lima UN Climate documents
  • A Climate idea comes of age: Zero emissions

• New renewable power surpasses new fossil fuel power
  More new renewable energy generating capacity is being installed worldwide each year than new capacity in fossil fuels and nuclear power combined.

IRENA: REthinking Energy

Solar energy is now cost competitive with fossil fuels

The average cost of solar panels is now about 75% less than it was just five years ago, and the price continues to fall.

• •  Solar Continues Trumping Fossil Fuel Pricing, With More Innovations To Come
  • Solar and Wind Energy Start to Win on Price vs. Conventional Fuels
  • Rooftop Solar Cost Competitive with the Grid in Much of the U.S.

Solar industry jobs exceeds projections

• Solar industry employment grew 10 times faster than the average employment rate in the U.S., and has the fastest annual job growth rate at 20%.
  • Explosive U.S. Solar Power Growth & Jobs 
  • More U.S. jobs in solar industry than coal mining
  • National Solar Jobs Census 

It certainly seems to us that all this marks the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. Historic developments in 2014 advanced at a breakneck pace; it looks like 2015 may be even more extraordinary. Stay tuned.