Exclusive interview: Professor Paul Ekins of UCL: Editor of Global Energy

Paul Ekins has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of London and is Professor of Resources and Environmental Policy at and Director of the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, University College London. He is also Deputy Director of the UK Energy Research Centre, and the UKERC Co-Director. And too many other roles to mention here. He speaks to Blue & Green about the Oxford University Press book he recently edited; Global Energy: Issues, Potentials and Policy Implications – a copy of which you can win (see below).

Can you share an executive summary for a layperson?

This book gives a comprehensive and clear account of the full range of global energy issues, options, and choices, in a way that addresses the crucial question of what energy sources to use and how to ensure their availability. It enables the reader to understand important energy and climate change technology and policy options by examining the critical economic, social, political, and cultural issues that will influence which technologies are deployed and which policies countries are likely to use in order to guide the development of their energy systems.

Who is the book targeted at? – and who should read it?

The book should be read both by students and academics who are engaged in studying issues related to energy and climate change, and by a much wider public which wants to understand where our energy comes from now, and what forces will determined where it comes from in the future.

Does action on energy policies seem commensurate with the issues you set out?

Global action on energy policies is still far from sufficient to achieve world leaders’ commitment, reiterated at the Paris Climate Summit, to keep average global warming to a limit of 2oC. It is to be hoped that following the Paris Agreement, these leaders will greatly increase the stringency of their policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Do you agree with that the UK is abandoning its leadership on climate change and renewable energy?

The UK Government elected in May 2015 has seriously weakened or cancelled a number of emission reduction policies it inherited from the previous government, without so far putting in place policies to substitute for them. This has caused considerable uncertainty in the energy industry about the Government’s future intentions, which will inhibit investment and increase the cost of capital. If the Government is not to be seen as abandoning its leadership in this area, it will need to move fast to show how it intends to meet the UK’s ambitious emissions reduction commitments.

If our readers want to win a signed copy of the book how do they secure one?

They should send in their choice of an inspiring and ambitious policy for emission reduction from the energy sector from any country in the world.

Please send your policy to globalenergy@blueandgreentomorrow.com

Or you can buy the book here.