Tracking Clean Energy Progress: Energy Technology Perspectives 2012 excerpt as IEA input to the Clean Energy Ministerial

The report finds that most clean energy technologies are not on track to make their required contribution to reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and thereby provide a more secure energy system.

Speaking at the Clean Energy Ministerial, IEA Deputy Executive Director Ambassador Richard H. Jones highlighted the report's key findings and urged aggressive policy action to take full advantage of the benefits offered by clean energy technologies. In sounding the alarm, he stressed that the scope for improvement lies with the ministers themselves.

Using available quantitative and qualitative data, the report tracks progress in the development and deployment of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies in the power generation, industry, buildings, and transport sectors, against rates required to achieve a 2^oC limit in global temperature rise (referred to as the ‘2 degree scenario’ or ‘2DS’). Progress is evaluated by analysis three main areas:

• Technology progress, using data on technology performance, technology cost, and public spending on research, development & demonstration (RD&D)
• Market creation, using data on government policies and targets, and private investment
• Technology penetration, using data on technology deployment rates, share in the overall energy mix and global distribution of technologies.

The report finds that while some progress has been made, most clean energy technologies are not on track to make their required contribution to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and thereby provide a more secure energy system. It highlights that getting back on track is possible, if timely and significant policy action is taken. To the right, we feature the report’s technology progress summaries.