Michael Holder, Business Green ::
Such a prospect may be difficult to imagine right now, given the record profits being funnelled into the pockets of companies such as ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, and Centrica. A cursory look at your energy bill or the latest global greenhouse gas emissions stats is enough to make one wince at the firm grip fossil fuels still appear to have on all aspects of the global economy.
But growing numbers of respected energy policy wonks have been taking a peek under the bonnet of the global energy system, and finding cause for cautious optimism that – even if it is not happening at the speed global climate goals require – the decarbonisation of the global economy may start far sooner than many realise.
