Adaptation and the Energy Sector

Abstract

The energy sector provides a unique set of challenges in the 21st century. As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment Report has stated, adaptation must be integrated with migration and sustainable development for the sake of 'climate-resilient' pathways. This understanding of adaptation requires an acknowledgement of the millions of people around the world who are living in a state of energy poverty, and need to be provided with access to modern energy services without being locked into greenhouse gas-intensive emissions pathways. This provides an opportunity to transform away from fossil fuel-powered energy delivered on a traditional electricity grid structure to renewable energy provided through distributed grids and facilitated by energy storage. Finally, electricity infrastructure and energy resources are at risk from slow onset and extreme weather climate disasters. Regulators are required to protect critical infrastructure from such risks including through appropriate land use planning and should consider the adoption of such technologies such as Smart Grids to build resilience.