logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
57m 6s

Is there an energy transition?

Wood Mackenzie
About this episode
Fossil fuels still dominate the world’s energy supplies. Do we need different terminology to talk about what’s happening? We talk about “the energy transition” all the time. But is that language misleading? 20 years ago fossil fuels were 85% of the world’s energy, today they’re just a few percentage points less. If there is a transition to low-carbon energy ... Show More
Up next
Nov 19
What happened in COP30’s first week? Support for energy efficiency and a status report on methane show which climate initiatives are still making progress
<p>Negotiations in the COP 30 climate talks are continuing in Belem, Brazil. The headlines are focusing on the divisions between countries that are shaping this year’s climate talks. But despite the doom and gloom, there are some practical steps being taken to support the transit ... Show More
52m 49s
Nov 13
The COP30 climate talks are under way In Brazil. What is the point of the conference?
<p>COP30, which began this week in Belém, Brazil, marks a decade since the Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in 2015. It’s being billed as the “implementation COP”: instead of grand new announcements of international agreements, governments are supposed to be focused on delive ... Show More
48m 13s
Nov 11
How are businesses rethinking energy and sustainability? COP30 starts in Belem as climate action falters
<p>COP30, now getting under way in Belem, Brazil, has been billed as “the implementation COP”, which means a focus on governments taking real steps to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. We will be examining all the key issues for government negotiators in the talks very so ... Show More
31m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2020
Germany’s Energy Transition
Germany has long been considered a leader in renewable energy – a model even for others to follow with its subsidies for wind and solar. Householders were encouraged to put solar panels on their rooves as early as two decades ago. But its so-called “Energiewende” or “energy trans ... Show More
26m 28s
Mar 2022
[Episode #169] – Is the Energy Transition Feasible?
Has the world ever transitioned from one fuel to another as quickly as we need to do this transition in order to meet our climate targets? 
27m 54s
Nov 2021
Climate Ambition vs Energy Reality
David and Helen talk to Jason Bordoff, Dean of the Columbia Climate School and former Special Assistant to Barack Obama, about climate, COP26 and the enormous challenges of the energy transition. How can we balance the need for energy security with the need to wean the world off ... Show More
51m 55s
May 2023
The Four Horsemen of the Energy Transition: Where’s The Money Going?
<p>Solar, wind, hydrogen and nuclear – we need more investment in these renewables, but where can the money come from?&nbsp;</p><p>In 2022, worldwide investment in renewables hit almost half a <em>trillion </em>dollars. Investment in solar – the largest sector - jumped 36% to 308 ... Show More
55m 28s
Apr 2022
How can the UK get to zero carbon?
Energy is essential: every living thing needs energy to survive, and today’s industrialised societies consume enormous quantities of it. At the moment, the vast majority of this comes from burning fossil fuels that emit carbon. But the government is committed to reaching net zero ... Show More
27m 46s
Mar 2023
Abundant energy
This week’s programme is a thought experiment: What would the world be like if energy became superabundant and very cheap?Energy is vital for every aspect of our society, and the energy cost of extraction, processing, manufacture and transport is priced into every product we buy. ... Show More
28 m
Apr 2022
Redefining Energy Storage
<p>When the sun stays out for a few extra hours in summer, where do we store the excess energy? This is one of the biggest challenges facing the renewable energy industry. When looking at countries like Norway, which is currently powered by 50% renewable energy, mostly coming fro ... Show More
1h 1m
Jun 2024
Are we spending enough on renewable energy?
There’s been a lot happening in our warming world and so The Climate Question is taking a break from its usual analysis to catch you up with the latest news. From worsening turbulence and plummeting planes to new rocket launches with satellites on board that hope to unlock one of ... Show More
26m 28s