COP20 Side-event: “Transition and Global Challenges towards Low Carbon Societies” – Messages from the International Research Network for Low Carbon Societies (LCS-RNet)
■ Date & Time: 10:30-12:00, Friday, 12 December 2014
■ Venue: EU pavilion at COP20
■ Co-organisers:Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA)
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
To stabilise our climate, we must eventually achieve zero-emissions of GHG, and it will no doubt be inevitable that we also need to adapt to the social changes that will come with this. So it is not only a matter of looking at the energy supply system but we also need structural changes and a revolution in the existing socio-economic system as a whole. We are in a period of huge transition in modern history. To accelerate this transition, more comprehensive approaches are required including compromising on issues related to energy security and energy efficiency, promoting resource efficiency in a more proactive manner, enhancing city Initiatives, as well as up-scaling private investment to low-carbon/green economy. Some emerging issues are the evaluation of the long- term pros and cons of introducing shale gas, how to leverage green investment to realise a new economic regime for a low-carbon society, and how to realise a low-carbon and resilient development path in developing countries, especially in emerging Asia.
This side-event aims to share knowledge and key findings of the outcomes of the 6th Annual Meeting of International Research Network for Low Carbon Societies (LCS-RNet[1]), consisting of researchers and experts working on the front line of governmental policy-making processes. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage an exchange of opinions on what kind of messages LCS-RNet can deliver to the world at COP21 next year in Paris, France, and we also want to discuss the significance of such a network after COP21, as countries begin to put their domestic policies in place.