The big missing climate solution
Today, we are fixed on a world energy economic scenario that will lead to a global temperature in- crease of at least 2°C before 2050 and 6°C by 2100 (accounting for amplifying feedback emissions).
The UN negotiations are deadlocked, and by all accounts will remain so for years. We really are looking at the end of the world, but the issue of subsidies to GHG-polluting industries is not on the negotiation agenda.
Incredibly, there are two great gaps in the climate change mitigation agenda:
(1) subsidies that promote GHG pollution with switching them to non-polluting alternatives and
(2) expert recommendations to correct the suicidal subsidy situation.
Without correcting the GHG-polluting subsidies, planetary catastrophe is to be expected, and there is no more time to waste in order to avoid it.
There are reasons from the climate change science why stopping all GHG-polluting subsidies and switching subsidies for clean development is the only effective mitigation. These are climate change commitment* and zero carbon.
Stopping all fossil fuel subsidies and switching direct subsidies (‘Stop and switch’) to clean zero carbon everlasting energy is a ‘no brainer,’ is supported by the economics, and the only way to a zero carbon world instead of the end of the world.
The lack of pressure on governments by civil society and climate change experts to stop all GHG-polluting subsidies is astounding.
There are powerful forces blocking subsidy reform, and as a consequence, only the most powerful voice can achieve subsidy correction. The leading influential professional institutions must lead the way on this, right away.
It is obviously the duty and in the best interests of us all to make this obvious demand to our governments.
Energy subsidies are expensive, damage the climate, and disproportionately benefit the well off.
Climate Change World Bank Group. Win-Win Energy Policy Reforms