The war in Ukraine “can be seen as a ‘blessing’ from a climate perspective, according to the head of the World Meteorological Organization.
World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas (Petteri Taalas) refers in his commentary to the acceleration in the use of green energy triggered by the war-related fuel shortage.
Last month, the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera (Francesco La Camera), made similar comments, albeit choosing more measured words. “In the medium and long term, the Ukrainian crisis will accelerate the energy transition, because governments will finally realise that the transition to renewables does not only have a positive impact on the environment, jobs, and GDP, but also ensures greater energy independence,” noted Francesco La Camera.
Although some countries have rushed to turn to fossil fuels to meet rapidly growing demand, price rises have made renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrothermal energy more competitive in the energy market. The energy crisis also forced many major consuming countries in Europe and beyond to start austerity measures, and in some places, discussions on limiting consumption have emerged.
Why did Petteri Taalas call the war in Ukraine a “blessing”?
Economic sanctions against major oil and natural gas producer Russia are the cause of the rise in gas and energy prices. This has contributed to an increase in the use of fossil fuels and has been a “shock to the European energy sector,” according to P. Taalas. “Looking at a five to 10-year timescale, it is clear that this war in Ukraine will accelerate our consumption of fossil energy, and that in turn accelerates the green transition,” he said. “Therefore, we will invest much more in renewable energy and energy-saving solutions.” By 2030, some small-scale nuclear reactors will likely be operational, which will be “part of the solution,” he emphasised. “So, from a climate perspective, the war in Ukraine can be seen as a ‘blessing’,” added P. Taalas.
Several UN leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have previously emphasised that lessons must be learned from the energy crisis caused by the conflict. “The conflict has not only had a tragic impact on people, but it has also highlighted the rising costs of the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and the urgent need to accelerate the transition to renewables to protect people and the planet,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric (Stephane Dujarric).
Climate change also threatens energy supply
Petteri Taalas spoke at a time when the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published a new report stating that electricity supply from cleaner energy sources must be doubled over the next eight years to limit the rise in global temperatures.
The latest annual “State of Climate Services” report, which is based on information provided by 26 different organisations, focuses on energy this year.
P. Taalas stressed that the energy sector currently generates around three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions, and he called for a “complete transformation” of the global energy system. He warned that climate change is affecting electricity generation and could have an increasing impact in the future. One risk is that nuclear power plants, which use water for cooling, could be affected by water shortages, and some are located in coastal zones that are vulnerable to sea-level rise or flooding.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) noted in its report that in 2020, about 87% of the world’s electricity generated by thermal, nuclear, and hydroelectric power plants, which produce less CO2 than power plants fuelled by fossil fuels, will depend on water availability.