Document Type
Article
Abstract
Extracting, processing, and delivering energy requires energy itself, which reduces the net energy available to society and yields considerable socioeconomic implications. Yet, most mitigation pathways and transition models overlook net energy feedbacks, specifically related to the decline in the quality of fossil fuel deposits, as well as energy requirements of the energy transition. Here, we summarize our position across 8 key points that converge to form a prevailing understanding regarding EROI (Energy Return on Investment), identify areas of investigation for the Net Energy Analysis community, discuss the consequences of net energy in the context of the energy transition, and underline the issues of disregarding it. Particularly, we argue that reductions in net energy can hinder the transition if demandside measures are not implemented and adopted to limit energy consumption. We also point out the risks posed for the energy transition in the Global South, which, while being the least responsible for climate change, may be amongst the most impacted by both the climate crisis and net energy contraction. Last, we present practical avenues to consider net energy in mitigation pathways and Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), emphasizing the necessity of fostering collaborative efforts among our different research communities.
First Page
1
Last Page
16
DOI
10.1039/d3ee00772c
Publication Date
11-20-2023
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Delannoy, Louis; Auzanneau, Matthieu; Andrieu, Baptiste; Vidal, Olivier; Longaretti, Pierre-Yves; Prados, Emmanuel; Murphy, David J.; Bentley, Roger W.; Carbajales-Dale, Michael; Raugei, Marco; Hook, Mikael; Court, Victor; King, Carey W.; Fizaine, Florian; Jacques, Pierre; Heun, Matthew Kuperus; Jackson, Andrew; Guay-Boutet, Charles; Aramendia, Emmanuel; Wang, Jianliang; Boulzec, Hugo Le; and Hall, Charles A.S., "Emerging consensus on net energy paves the way for improved integrated assessment modeling" (2023). University Faculty Publications and Creative Works. 974.
https://digitalcommons.calvin.edu/calvin_facultypubs/974