Audioblog 15: The Pragmatic Climate Reset Part 1 — The Energy Transition Is Not Dead

In February, veteran fossil industry advisor Dan Yergin and two
co-authors published a piece called The Troubled Transition. In
it they dismiss the idea that there is or can ever be an energy
transition, anchored on the fact that fossil fuels contributed
85% to so-called primary energy in 1990 and still contribute 80%
today. 


Needless to say, their argument has been widely amplified by the
oil and gas industry. They conclude with a demand for a new
approach – which they call a “pragmatic path”. 


Pragmatism is needed, but not the pragmatism of defeat. Not the
‘pragmatism’ of believing fossil fuels hold the key to further
human progress. Not the ‘pragmatism’ of addressing climate change
only if it suits the interests of fossil-fuel companies. What is
needed is the pragmatism of robust but affordable climate
action. 


This week on Cleaning Up, Michael Liebreich debunks narratives
that trumpet the alleged failure of climate action, and explains
why a pragmatic climate reset is needed.


Leadership Circle: 


Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its
founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, Davidson Kempner,
EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini
Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature
Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on
the Leadership Circle, please visit
https://www.cleaningup.live. 


Links and more: 


Read the full article on BNEF:
https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-energy/liebreich-the-pragmatic-climate-reset-part-i/

Tony Blair Institute Climate Reset Report:
https://institute.global/insights/climate-and-energy/the-climate-paradox-why-we-need-to-reset-action-on-climate-change

Michael Cembalest 15th annual Eye On The Market:
https://am.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpm-am-aem/global/en/insights/eye-on-the-market/heliocentrism-amv.pdf

Dan Yergin et al, The Troubled Transition:
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/troubled-energy-transition-yergin-orszag-arya

Generative AI – The Power and the Glory:
https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-energy/liebreich-generative-ai-the-power-and-the-glory/

Five Superheroes of the Transition:
https://about.bnef.com/insights/clean-energy/liebreich-net-zero-will-be-harder-than-you-think-and-easier-part-ii-easier/

Tony Blair on Cleaning Up: https://youtu.be/Ko90KbFKBnI

Dan Yergin on Cleaning Up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QIh4U3Vgjc