News

Chair:           Rohit Khanna , Program Manager, Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP)

 

Authors:      Jane Ebinger , Thematic Coordinator for Energy and Climate Change for ESMAP
                      Walter Vergara , Lead Chemical Engineer, & Expert on Climate Change Adaptation

Discussants: Daniel Kammen , Chief Technical Specialist, World Bank
                          Philippe Benoit , Energy Sector Manager, World Bank

Description: The climate is changing as a result of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are now estimated to surpass the worst case emission trajectory drawn under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its third assessment report. This highlights not only the urgency of action to control emissions, but also the need to adapt to unavoidable climate consequences from the damage induced in the biosphere. Already the entire energy supply chain is significantly vulnerable to climate variability and extreme events that can affect energy resources and supplies as well as seasonal demand; the projected changes will increase this vulnerability and thus the need to adapt to changing conditions.

The book 'Climate Impacts on Energy Systems, Key Issues for Energy Sector Adaptation' presents an overview of how the energy sector might be impacted by climate change and what options exist for their management. It focuses on energy sector adaptation, rather than mitigation that has been a key focus of the energy sector and is not discussed in this book. The book draws on available scientific and peer reviewed literature in the public domain and takes the perspective of the developing world to the extent possible.

The key messages are:

1. Energy services and resources will be increasingly affected by climate change.
2. All evidence suggests that adaptation is not an optional add-on but an essential reckoning on par with other business risks.
3. Integrated risk based planning processes will be critical to address these impacts and harmonize actions within and across sectors.
4. Awareness, knowledge and capacity impede mainstreaming of climate adaptation into the energy sector.