This document discusses the increasing climate action being taken by subnational actors like states, regions, and businesses. It notes that these non-federal actors currently represent over half of US greenhouse gas emissions and two-thirds of the population, and if combined would be the second largest economy in the world. The document outlines some of the policy tools and actions subnational actors are implementing to reduce emissions, like renewable portfolio standards, carbon pricing, vehicle standards, and coal power plant retirement. It concludes by thanking the audience.
The role of subnational actors in energy system transitions
1. Center for Global Sustainability
Analytics for Ambition | Collective Action
Supply, Demand, and the
Implications of Increasing
Subnational Action
Leon Clarke
December 9, 2019
3. The long-term goal is zero
or negative emissions
Major Challenges
1. Aviation, long-distance
transport, and shipping.
2. Structural materials (iron and
steel, cement)
3. Load-following electricity
Source: Davis et al., 2018
6. Low Carbon Transition: Light Duty Vehicle Example
(slide courtesy of Jim Williams)
6
Energy service
demand (AEO)
Annual LDV
sales
LDV stocks by
type
LDV final energy
by fuel type
VMT by fuel
type
GHG emissions
by fuel type
Annual sales reach 100%
low carbon vehicles in ~15
years
LDV stock ~300M low
carbon vehicles in 2050
>90% of VMT from
electricity or electric fuels
Electric drive train efficiency
reduces final energy ~2/3
LDV emission reduced >95%
Source: Williams et al, 2014
7. Space Heating and Building Applications
(slide courtesy of Jim Williams)
7
Annual sales reach ~100%
electric heating in ~10 years
Space heating ~100%
electrified by 2045
Electricity supplies all
heating in 2050
CO2 from heating almost
eliminated by 2050
Source: Williams et al, 2014
8. Three Pillars of Deep Decarbonization
(Slide Courtesy of Jim Williams)
(MJ/$2005)
Source: Williams, et al., 2014
9. Non-federal actors are increasingly taking action
on climate change
From: The America’s Pledge Initiative on
Climate Change (2019) “Accelerating
America’s Pledge: Going All-In to Build a
Prosperous, Low-Carbon Economy for
the United States.” N. Hultman, et al.
This group of actors represents:
• 68% of U.S. GDP
• 65% of the U.S. Population
• 51% of U.S. GHG Emissions
• And would be the second largest
economy in the world, behind
the United States
11. Each of these different actors has a different role
to play in climate mitigation
ZARKOCVIJOVIC/ISTOCK
Actions: renewable portfolio
standards, zoning, public
transit investments, basic
and applied R&D, carbon
prices, border-tax
adjustments, building
permits, vehicle standards,
higher-efficiency processes,
ZEV mandates, emissions
targets, renewable targets,
oil and gas methane, nuclear
fleet retention, coal power
plant retirement, public
education programs,……
12. Center for Global Sustainability
Analytics for Ambition | Collective Action
Thank You
Hinweis der Redaktion
Nate
The coalition of American states, cities, businesses, and others committed to climate action for their communities has continued to grow, now representing roughly [70 percent] of U.S. GDP, [65 percent] of the U.S. population, and [45-50 percent] of U.S. emissions
The U.S. Climate Alliance, which represents states and territories whose governors have committed to ambitious climate action, grew from 17 to 25 members in just one year.
Climate Mayors has grown to 430 member cities - all of whom have committed to taking meaningful action on climate - across 48 states since its founding in 2014.
The We Are Still In coalition, which includes members of all action groups from municipalities to businesses to other communities, now numbers over 3,800 compared to 1,200 at launch in 2017.
If WASI, USCA, and other U.S. coalitions committed to the Paris Agreement were they a country, would constitute the world’s third largest economy.
