The role of materials in the energy transition
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that, in order to limit the effects of climate change, a reduction of 50–85 per cent in global greenhouse gas will be needed by 2050, advocating a radical shift away from today’s fossil-fuel-derived economy. Moreover, modern society is continuously more dependent on the (affordable) access to raw materials from which high-tech materials are produced for the automotive, aviation, electronics, medical, power generation, construction and other industries. For most materials, used for example in buildings, infrastructure, equipment and products, global stocks are still sufficient to meet the increasing future demand; but the environmental impacts of material production and processing, particularly those related to energy, are rapidly becoming critical. In this respect, it is not energy efficiency, but rather material efficiency that presents itself to the bigger challenge in a carbon-constrained world.
During this discussion event, we will discuss the relation of materials in the energy transition and the current trends and challenges of society. Is the current focus of changing towards a more carbon neutral energy system too limited? How urgent is this matter and how will society adapt? Details on the nights’ program and key speakers will be announced soon – stay up to date on when registration opens via YES-DCs website, linkedIN or twitter.
[message_box title=”Evening details” color=”white”] Date: Tuesday 19 November 2013
Time: 19:00h
Location: Academiegebouw, Domplein, Utrecht[/message_box]
