Defining the Clean Energy Transition

Defining the clean energy transition

Georgios Andreou, Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessalonikis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Greece

The Clean Energy Transition (CET) refers to the shifting of energy systems, away from fossil fuels, and towards Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The main objective of CET is to help achieve the drastic decrease in greenhouse gas emissions that is a critical prerequisite for the mitigation of the impacts of climate change, as it is experienced today worldwide. This lesson does not attempt to hand over definite solutions to achieve this goal, for the simple reason that we still lack them. Its purpose is rather to offer explanations regarding our worldwide status with respect to climate change, the impact of our policies and actions so far, as well as the alternative pathways that lie in front of us. What is more, it attempts to pinpoint ineffective and counterproductive practices that have been widely utilized up to now in the name of CET and show that we may need to widen the debate about climate change if we are to succeed in reversing it. In the end, the ultimate goal of the lesson is to spark an informed debate regarding the steps that will be required for our species to survive the next century.