Technological Change

Michael Jakob ()
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Michael Jakob: Climate Transition Economics

A chapter in The Case Against Climate Doom, 2025, pp 89-125 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Technological change is a prerequisite for a successful transition to net-zero. Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy is necessary for the decarbonization of electricity production. The electrification of sectors that to date predominantly use fossil fuels, such as industry, transport, and buildings, offers the possibility for even greater decarbonization. To do this, however, it will be necessary to develop better ways to store electricity. The central role that the clean energy transition plays in getting us to net-zero does not mean that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be purely a ‘technology fix’. Rather, well-designed policies need to guide technological change in the right direction. Policies are also needed to prevent ‘rebound effects’, so that new renewable energy doesn’t just end up being additional to fossil fuels instead of replacing them. Behavioral change can also make an important contribution by reducing emissions that are hard to mitigate with technology alone, for instance those from agriculture and aviation. Nevertheless, we will not be able to reach ambitious climate targets if we continue to meet energy needs predominantly with fossil fuels, even if we drastically reduce total energy use.

Keywords: Renewable energy; Energy storage; Electric mobility; Decarbonization of buildings; Industry decarbonization; Green hydrogen; Information and communication technologies; Carbon dioxide removal; Adaptation technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-93968-6_4

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-93968-6_4

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