COP26 Universities Network briefing: net-zero solutions and research priorities for the 2020s
A new briefing paper published by the COP26 Universities Network sets out the key net-zero solutions and policy actions that can be implemented now, as well as the priority areas for research to focus on during the 2020s in order to achieve the required emissions reductions for net zero.
Achieving the UK’s net-zero target by 2050 will require a mix of technological, societal and nature-based solutions working together to enable systemic change towards a regenerative society. Research must be prioritised into solutions for sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, say leading scientists from the network.
The briefing brings together the diverse range of sectoral expertise from 26 authors across 10 UK universities, and comes at a critical time ahead of the United Nations COP26 Climate Change Summit, which takes place in Glasgow in November.
Net-zero solutions are addressed across eight priority sectors, summarising the current state of knowledge, and then setting out the actions to take now, what to research, and the co-benefits arising from solutions in that sector. The eight priority sectors are: Electricity (generation, storage, system & networks), Buildings, Road Transport, Industry, Land/Sea Use & Agriculture, Aviation & Shipping, Waste and Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR). Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are highlighted as key actions that involve working with nature to address climate change and biodiversity loss across all sectors, whilst also supporting economic recovery.
The report identifies three headline messages for decision makers:
- Technological, societal and nature-based solutions can work together to enable systemic change towards a regenerative society, and to deliver net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Research should prioritise efficient, low-carbon and carbon-negative solutions for sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, such as energy storage, road transport, shipping, aviation and grid infrastructure.
- Each solution should be assessed with respect to GHG emissions reductions, energy efficiency and both societal and environmental impacts to provide a basis for developing long-term policies, maximising positive impact of investment and research effort, and guiding industry investors in safe and responsible planning.
Established in 2020, the COP26 Universities Network aims to improve access to evidence and academic expertise for the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow for the UK Government, NGOs and the international community, working together to help deliver ambitious climate change outcomes.
COP26: Ufumbuzi wa Net-Zero na Vipimo vya Utafiti kwa 2020: Karatasi mpya ya taarifa iliyochapishwa na Mtandao wa Vyuo Vikuu wa COP26 inaelezea ufumbuzi muhimu wa Net-Zero na hatua za sera ambazo zinaweza kutekelezwa sasa, pamoja na maeneo ya kipaumbele ya utafiti wa kuzingatia wakati wa 2020 ili kufikia kupunguza uzalishaji unaohitajika kwa Net-Zero. Ili kufikia lengo la Uingereza la kiwango cha sifuri cha umeme kufikia mwaka 2050, itahitaji mchanganyiko wa teknolojia, jamii na ufumbuzi wa asili kufanya kazi pamoja ili kuwezesha mabadiliko ya mfumo kuelekea jamii ya upya. "Utafiti lazima uwe wa kipaumbele katika suluhisho kwa sekta ambazo ni vigumu kuondoa kaboni, ""wasema wanasayansi wakuu kutoka mtandao." Mkutano huo unajumuisha uzoefu mbalimbali wa sekta kutoka kwa waandishi 26 kutoka vyuo vikuu 10 vya Uingereza, na unakuja wakati muhimu kabla ya Mkutano wa Umoja wa Mataifa wa Mabadiliko ya Hali ya Hewa (COP26) ambao utafanyika Glasgow mnamo Novemba. "Mafunzo ya ""Net Zero"" yanashughulikiwa katika sekta nane za kipaumbele, ikitoa muhtasari wa hali ya sasa ya maarifa, na kisha kuelezea hatua za kuchukua sasa, nini cha kutafiti, na faida zinazotokana na ufumbuzi katika sekta hiyo." Sekta nane za kipaumbele ni: Umeme (uzalishaji, uhifadhi, mfumo na mitandao), Majengo, Usafiri wa Barabara, Viwanda, Matumizi ya Ardhi na Bahari na Kilimo, Usafiri wa Anga na Usafiri, Mafunguo na Uondoaji wa Gesi ya Greenhouse. Suluhisho za asili (NBS) ni hatua muhimu ambazo zinahusisha kufanya kazi na asili kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na upotezaji wa bioanuwai katika sekta zote, wakati pia kuunga mkono ufufuo wa kiuchumi. "Tarifa hii inaelezea ujumbe wa tatu kwa watunga maamuzi: ""Ufumbuzi wa kiteknolojia, kijamii na asili unaweza kufanya kazi pamoja ili kuwezesha mabadiliko ya mfumo kuelekea jamii ya upya, na kutoa uzalishaji wa gesi ya chafu (GHG).""" Utafiti unapaswa kupanua suluhisho za ufanisi, za chini ya kaboni na za kaboni kwa sekta ambazo ni vigumu kuondoa kaboni, kama vile kuhifadhi nishati, usafirishaji wa barabara, usafirishaji, anga na miundombinu ya mtandao. Kila suluhisho linapaswa kutathminiwa kwa kuzingatia kupunguza uzalishaji wa gesi za chafu, ufanisi wa nishati na athari za kijamii na mazingira ili kutoa msingi wa kuendeleza sera za muda mrefu, kuongeza athari nzuri ya uwekezaji na juhudi za utafiti, na kuongoza wawekezaji wa tasnia katika mipango salama na ya uwajibikaji. Mtandao wa Vyuo Vikuu wa COP26 umeanzishwa mnamo 2020 na lengo lake ni kuboresha upatikanaji wa ushahidi na utaalam wa kitaaluma kwa Mkutano wa Hali ya Hewa wa Umoja wa Mataifa huko Glasgow kwa Serikali ya Uingereza, mashirika yasiyo ya kiserikali na jamii ya kimataifa, wakifanya kazi pamoja kusaidia kutoa matokeo ya kutamani mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa.