Climate 2030

de Rachel Cleetus, Steven Clemmer, Friedman, David

Publisher's description: This report analyzes the economic and technological feasibility of meeting stringent targets for reducing global warming emissions, with a cap set at 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, and 56 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Our analysis relies primarily on a modified version of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Modeling System (referred to as UCS-NEMS). We supplemented that model with an analysis of the impact of greater energy efficiency in industry and buildings by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. We also worked with researchers at the University of Tennessee to analyze the potential for crops and residues to provide biomass energy. We then combined our model with those studies to capture the dynamic interplay between energy use, energy prices, energy investments, and the economy while also considering competition for limited resources and land. Our analysis shows that the technologies and policies pursued under the Blueprint produce dramatic changes in energy use and cuts in carbon emissions. The analysis also shows that consumers and businesses reap significant net savings under the comprehensive Blueprint approach, while the nation sees strong economic growth.