UnEarth Magazine.

Words by Emma Nelson, Art by Nora Krogsgaard

Fossil fuels are by far the biggest driver of climate change, responsible for more than 75% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. Scientists warn that if the output of these pollutants does not decrease significantly by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050, the consequences will be severe and irreversible. The past couple of decades have brought about tremendous change in the field of sustainable energy, as states shift away from coal, oil, and gas to introduce innovative renewable technology. However, with the 2050 deadline looming, serious changes to the energy sector still need to be made. Below are some of the main obstacles that stand in the way of the complete transition to renewable energy. 

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Technical Challenges: 

One of the main challenges faced with incorporating renewable energy into everyday life is integrating intermittent energy sources like solar and wind into the existing grid. As the availability of these resources varies with weather and time of day, advanced storage facilities and distribution management are necessary to maintain their supply. This requires battery technology and land space that is not always accessible. Even in areas where renewable resources are integrated effectively with the grid, clean energy technology still struggles with its effectiveness and longevity. Silicon-based solar technology, for example, which is the most widely used form of renewable energy, only has an efficiency of 26% and a lifespan of 20-25 years. 

Another technical struggle in the transition to renewable energy is a lack of essential resources. Copper is the most essential material in technologies like solar panels and wind turbines, used for electrical wiring. A study conducted by S&P Global calculated that the supply of copper would need to double by the mid 2030s to achieve the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The amount of the valuable metal readily available is simply not enough to meet these demands. 

Economic Challenges: 

The renewable energy transition is dependent on investments from both the private and public sectors in new technology and infrastructure. The International Renewable Energy Agency predicts achieving the ambition of 100% renewable energy by 2050 will cost about $131 trillion dollars. Further, an estimated $1 trillion a year is required in investments for developing countries to meet sustainability targets. While the cost of renewable energy is falling as technology becomes more accessible, installation costs for clean power grids remain high. Stakeholders in the energy sector looking to invest face the challenge of balancing a desire for sustainability with the need for affordability. 

Economists also warn of the potential detrimental effects in attempting to transform the way the current global economy handles energy in time to meet the 2050 deadline. Jean Pisani-Ferry, a cofounder of Bruegel, one of Europe’s leading economic thinktanks, claims that pushing for net carbon emission reduction in less than a quarter century could “an adverse supply shock.” He points to the oil supply crisis in the 1970s as an example of the kind of impact energy disruption has on the global economy. 

Societal Challenges: 

The transition away from fossil fuels has deepened divides between developed and developing nations. For many countries in the Global South, the main focus of the future is economic development, even if this comes with environmental costs. States with advanced economies have much more capacity to invest in renewables and are able to prioritize sustainability in a way that developing countries cannot. This was made clear in September 2022 when the European Parliament voted against the construction of an oil pipeline that would stretch from Uganda to the Indian Ocean. The parliament cited the pipeline’s adverse impacts on the environment as its reasoning for condemnation. After incensed reactions from Uganda where the project was seen as essential to economic growth, the deputy speaker of the parliament spoke out, saying that the EU’s resolution was “the highest level of neocolonialism and imperialism against the sovereignty of Uganda.” 

There is a strong argument to be made that countries in the Global South have not been the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and should therefore not take on the same level of responsibility in transitioning to renewables as their northern counterparts. However, lack of global cooperation does pose a challenge to meeting net-zero targets. 

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The path to a fully renewable energy future remains laden with challenges, whether they be scientific, monetary, or social. Overcoming these obstacles is possible with a dedication to collective innovation, investment, and cooperation. However, motions towards sustainable progress must be taken now, before the window for meaningful change closes.