September 2014: The World Future Council has published a policy handbook, titled ‘How to Achieve 100% Renewable Energy,’ which includes case studies indicating that achieving 100% renewable energy only lacks political will. This target means that all energy needed within the electricity, heat and transport sectors comes from renewable sources.

Transitioning the world’s total energy mix toward renewable sources is being achieved in a number of places, and hundreds of jurisdictions have set 100% renewable energy (RE) targets and are beginning to phase out fossil fuels. The policy handbook looks at case studies to: inspire others to follow the same path; identify drivers, barriers and facilitating factors; and derive policy recommendations to transition to RE use. The handbook examines eight case studies in four categories: cities and communities; regions and states; national governments; and island governments.

The report argues that achieving 100% RE is both possible and affordable, and can be achieved with current technologies, and that the first step is setting ambitious, long-term RE targets. It also stresses the importance of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. The report laments the lack of emphasis on increasing the share of RE in both the heating/cooling and the transport sectors.

Based on the case studies, the handbook highlights five findings that serve as transferable policy lessons: achieving 100% RE is both financially and economically feasible; 100% RE strategies are not only for wealthy or industrialized countries; transitioning to 100% RE can mitigate risks and make economies more resilient; and achieving a 100% RE system will require significantly expanding RE in the heating/cooling and transport sectors.

The World Future Council consists of 50 eminent global change-makers from governments, parliaments, civil society, academia, the arts and business. [Publication: How to Achieve 100% Renewable Energy] [World Future Council Website]