International Energy Agency Report Released: Nordic Energy Technology Perspectives

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) "an autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 28 member countries and beyond," released a new report titled, Nordic Energy Technology Perspectives (2013). The 211-page report is available here, according to the abstract:

[t]he five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have announced ambitious goals towards decarbonising their energy systems by 2050. Based on the scenarios and analysis of Energy Technology Perspectives 2012, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and leading Nordic research institutions jointly assess how the Nordic region can achieve a carbon-neutral energy system by 2050.

 

To achieve ambitious 2050 goal, Nordic Energy Technology Perspectives, the first regional edition of the series, details how countries can decarbonise power sector and electrify transport. The report lists best ways to reduce emissions and offers important lessons for other countries by expanding on the Energy Technology Perspectives 2012 global scenarios for energy policies that would limit average global temperature increase to 2°C.

Without doubt, the Nordic countries are front-runners in taking decisive action toward clear, long-term energy targets. In examining their approach, the Nordic Energy Technology Perspectives aims to provide objective analysis that will increase the Nordic region’s chances of success. A secondary – but ultimately more important – aim is to prompt other countries and regions to follow their lead.

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress -- CRS

This Report from the Congressional Research Service, by Ronald O'Rourke, Coordinator
Specialist in Naval Affairs, dated October 15, 2010, finds that "the diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened concerns about the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region.

On January 12, 2009, the George W. Bush Administration released a presidential directive, called National Security Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 (NSPD 66/HSPD 25), establishing a new U.S. policy for the Arctic region. Record low extent of Arctic sea ice in 2007 focused scientific and policy attention on its linkage to global climate change, and to the implications of projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. The Arctic has been projected by several scientists to be perennially ice-free in the late summer by the late 2030s.

The five Arctic coastal states—the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, and Denmark (of which Greenland is a territory)—are in the process of preparing Arctic territorial claims for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The Russian claim to the enormous underwater Lomonosov Ridge, if accepted, would reportedly grant Russia nearly one half of the Arctic area. There are also four other unresolved Arctic territorial disputes.

The diminishment of Arctic ice could lead in the coming years to increased commercial shipping on two trans-Arctic sea routes. Current international guidelines for ships operating in Arctic waters are being updated, with a targeted completion date of 2010. Changes to the Arctic brought about by warming temperatures will likely allow more exploration for oil, gas, and minerals.

Warming that causes permafrost to melt could pose challenges to onshore exploration activities. Increased oil and gas exploration and tourism (cruise ships) in the Arctic increase the risk of pollution in the region. Cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult than in other areas, primarily because effective strategies have yet to be developed. Large commercial fisheries exist in the Arctic.

The United States is currently meeting with other countries regarding the management of Arctic fish stocks. Changes in the Arctic could affect threatened and endangered species. Under the Endangered Species Act, the polar bear was listed as threatened on May 15,2008. Arctic climate change is also expected to affect the economies, subsistence, health, population, societies, and cultures of Arctic indigenous peoples."