Carbon-Free Energy
When energy sources are labeled carbon-free, the energy is produced by a resource that generates no carbon emissions, such as nuclear or large hydroelectric. Although these resources help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they may impact the environment or the economy. For example, the waste produced by nuclear power plants needs to be safely stored long term, which can be cost-intensive. Additionally, the creation of dams to build new, large hydroelectric resources has lasting environmental impacts on the surrounding ecosystems.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy, on the other hand, is classified as a naturally replenishing resource that produces zero emissions. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and biowaste, and eligible hydroelectric. The energy projects may create additional environmental benefits on top of their emissions reductions, such as pollinator-friendly solar programs, or economic job benefits, through the construction of new projects.
"24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact
An ambitious global effort is needed to accelerate the decarbonization of the world’s electricity systems to mitigate climate change and ensure access to clean and affordable electricity for all in line with SDG7.
In response to the urgent need to drive rapid decarbonization across the global economy, a group of energy buyers, energy suppliers, governments, system operators, solutions providers, investors and other organizations has joined together to accelerate the decarbonization of electricity grids by adopting, enabling, and advancing 24/7 Carbon-free Energy (CFE).
24/7 Carbon-free Energy (CFE) means that every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption is met with carbon-free electricity sources, every hour of every day, everywhere. It is both the end state of a fully decarbonized electricity system, and a transformative approach to energy procurement, supply, and policy design that is critical to accelerating its arrival.
The 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact is a set of principles and actions that stakeholders across the energy ecosystem can commit to in order to drive systemic change. Due to the remarkable ongoing progress in clean energy and enabling technologies, the transition to a fully decarbonized electricity sector is possible. Achieving it will require a concerted and targeted effort by all stakeholders to develop and scale the energy policies, technologies, procurement practices, and solutions to transform the broader energy ecosystem to enable rapid and cost-effective achievement of 24/7 CFE for all.
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To learn more about the growing movement for 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy, please visit www.gocarbonfree247.com." Source.
