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Changing The Narrative From Decarbonization To Modernization
COP26, Glasgow, Scotland. Solar Impulse Foundation with Bertrand Piccard. Photo/Peter Sandground ... [+] 9/11/21Peter SandgroundWhile effective climate action faces many challenges, concerns about cost and availability raise a political challenge. Solar Impulse Foundations Bertrand Piccard argues that in reality, climate solutions existand theyre not just viable; theyre profitable.2024 was the warmest year on record, with average global temperature over 1.5 degrees above the 1850 baseline for the first time, driving extreme volatility in weather patterns. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts warns:Despite the increasing evidence of volatile and extreme weather, arguments about the impact of climate change continue to rage. Climate policies seem to have become a flashpoint in the culture wars - even when climate change is accepted, relevant policies are attacked, often on the back of concerns about cost, complexity and how to manage change. Bertrand Piccard, an environmental pioneer and founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation, is on a mission to showcase technology and innovations that address climate change which are also economic, dispelling the idea that climate action is prohibitively costly or impractical and helping position climate action not simply as politically viable but appealing.The Efficiency Equation: Why Electrification is KeyIf you electrify the world and develop triple the amount of renewable energy, you automatically boost energy efficiency, Piccard explains. Traditional thermal engines operate with a maximum efficiency of 25-27%, meaning that three-quarters of the energy they consume is wasted. In contrast, electric motors can achieve an efficiency of up to 97% which demonstrates how electrification can drastically reduce energy consumption while achieving the same output. In a world where energy security remains critical, this highlights the benefits that overall electrification can bring.He argues that switching to electric solutions not only cuts waste (which means saving money) but also contributes directly to climate goals. By replacing inefficient thermal systems with high-efficiency electric ones, its possible to create a compounding effect that benefits both the economy and the environment.MORE FOR YOUBeyond Renewables: A Holistic Approach to EfficiencyEnergy efficiency isnt just about switching to LED lighting or installing heat pumpsits a comprehensive strategy that extends across industries. Piccard points out that reducing food and water waste is another form of energy efficiency, as significant amounts of energy are required to grow, harvest, transport, and distribute food and water.For example, wasting less food means conserving the energy used in every step of the supply chain, from fertilizer production to transportation. And that can have a huge impact - research in Nature in 2021 reported that the global agri-food system accounts for approximately 34% of total greenhouse gas emissions.Similarly, implementing circular economy principleswhere materials are reused rather than discardedcan dramatically reduce energy consumption in manufacturing. Better insulation, smarter industrial processes, and advanced waste management systems can also contribute to the energy efficiency puzzle. There are no silver bullets, says Piccard. Instead, there are thousands of small solutions that collectively make a significant impact. Each solution might capture a bit of CO2, reduce a bit of waste, or improve efficiency slightly. Together, they can drive meaningful change.A New Narrative for Climate ActionDespite the availability of solutions, one of the greatest challenges is overcoming resistance from policymakers and industry leaders. Many are hesitant to adopt new technologies due to a combination of path dependency (or over reliance on doing things as theyve always been done) and outdated regulatory frameworks that dont consider the externalities of operations - including climate, nature and biodiversity, even pollution.Piccard believes the key to overcoming this resistance is changing the narrative. Instead of framing it as decarbonizationwhich frightens economies and developing countrieswe talk about modernization. Modernization is about making systems more efficient and profitable. Its a message that unites rather than divides.By focusing on modernization, the economic benefits of climate action become clear. Piccard argues that energy efficiency should be seen as an economic imperative, not just an ecological one. Modernizing systems, whether through better insulation, smarter energy recovery, or efficient transportation, leads to cost savings, higher profits, and a more competitive economy.Policy as a Catalyst for ChangeOne of the biggest obstacles to scaling effective solutions is policy frameworks that are no longer fit for purpose. The legal framework today still allows for the use of inefficient, polluting, and expensive systems, Piccard says. He advocates for regulatory changes that would incentivize or even mandate the use of proven, profitable solutions.For example, France introduced legislation requiring a geothermal feasibility study for new construction projects. This ensures that developers have the necessary data to make informed decisions about implementing geothermal solutions. If the study shows its profitable, it would be irrational not to proceed, Piccard notes.It is this focus on the potential profitability of climate friendly actions that could transform approaches to action. The challenge lies in changing the political environment to encourage legislation such as that in France. The increasing politicisation and polarisation around climate action are leading to short-term policy cycles driven by electoral considerations rather than long-term climate strategy. When the political focus is on cost of living and immigration, governments can backpedal on climate commitments as they seem existential and distant when, in fact, appropriate action can result in lowering future costs.For that to change, and to build broader political support for effective climate action, it's important to provide access to solutions that can be shown to have economic benefits as well.Concrete Solutions in ActionPiccard highlights numerous real-world examples of how innovation can transform industries. For instance, early data centers were cooled using energy-intensive air conditioning systems. Today, some data centers are located in colder climates to reduce cooling needs, but they still waste the heat they generate. A better solution? Place data centers near cities and use the excess heat to provide hot water or warm buildings.Moreover, the rapid growth of data centers worldwide has become a significant driver of energy consumption. The latest data from the International Energy Agency warns that data centers now account for nearly 2% of global electricity demand, and this figure is expected to rise as digitalization and cloud services continue to expand, potentially doubling by 2026.There are however a wide range of solutions available to address this critical challenge from the obvious - renewable energy - to waste heat recovery and liquid cooling. We have identified solutions to recover heat from factory chimneys and underground parking lots, Piccard explains. These methods can cut energy bills by 20-40% and should be mandatory. Yet despite their obvious benefits, many of these innovations remain underused.In order to help highlight the available options, the Solar Impulse Foundation has certified 1,600 solutions that are both profitable and ecologically sound. To make these innovations accessible, the organization has created a "Solutions Explorer"an online search engine where users can find certified solutions by industry or application.Overcoming Myths: Climate Action is ProfitablePiccard argues that there are three common myths that need to be addressed if we are to move forward. The first myth is the obvious one that there are no available solutions and there is little we can do in fact, thousands of solutions are available and have been proven to be both effective and economic.That brings us to the second myth, that climate action is too expensive. What Piccard points out is that, on the contrary, many solutions offer quick returns on investment and long-term cost savings. The third myth is perhaps the most challenging, that it's too difficult to implement change. It is true that many businesses, and individuals, find change difficult. But that doesnt mean it doesn't happen. Technological shifts have repeatedly transformed societys expectations, from the invention of the motor car, the discovery of antibiotics or even the mobile phone.The reality is that while change is complex its far from impossible. There is an entire industry devoted to change management and there are tried and tested ways to implement change. At the very least, by adopting a step-by-step approach and leveraging technologies that are already available technologies, we can make significant progress.Even if there were no climate crisis, implementing these solutions would still make economic sense, Piccard argues. This isnt about problems; its about solutions. Its about modernization, profitability, and efficiency.Scaling Solutions for a Sustainable FutureUltimately, Piccards message is one of optimism, that there is a way forward. He believes that while the scale of the climate challenge is daunting, the tools to address it are already within our grasp. What he sees as key to success is reframing the way that we talk about climate action - its far harder to argue against modernisation than it is to argue about climate science and action.That reframing is necessary as historical approaches dont seem to have worked. If we fail to act now, well face the same challenges in a decade, only with more CO2 emissions and wasted money, Piccard warns. Efficiency is not just an environmental goalits an economic necessity.By embracing a new narrative centered on modernization and profitability, and by scaling up existing solutions, he argues that we have the opportunity to build a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous world.
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