Overcoming the challenges of global decarbonisation

The global drive toward decarbonisation has reached a pivotal moment. While we’ve made impressive progress in some areas – particularly in renewable energy and electric vehicles – we now face our greatest challenges. This talk by specialist Chris Goodall explores how we can tackle the most difficult aspects of decarbonisation: from transforming heavy industry and modernizing our infrastructure to ensuring a fair transition for all.
 
Our Journey So Far: Early Signs of Progress
We’re witnessing remarkable progress in our global efforts to tackle climate change. Look at China, where electric vehicles have captured the imagination of the world’s largest car market, now representing over 50% of new sales. In northern European homes, heat pumps are becoming the new normal for heating, showing how quickly we can adapt when solutions make sense. These developments tell us something exciting: the first steps of our energy transition are not just possible – they’re happening.
 
Powering Tomorrow: The Rise of Clean Energy
As we explore the foundations of this transition, we’re seeing renewable energy evolve in fascinating ways. Wind and solar power are becoming more powerful and reliable, while battery technology keeps surprising us with new possibilities. One of the most intriguing developments is how we’re learning to use hydrogen – making it when we have surplus renewable electricity and using it to power our grid when we need it most. What other innovative storage solutions might we discover as we continue this journey?
 
Cracking the Code: Industry’s Next Chapter
Now we’re entering more challenging but exciting territory. How do we transform industries like steel, cement, and fertilizer production that can’t simply plug into the electricity grid? We’re discovering that hydrogen might be key for cement production and high-temperature processes. The transport sector is opening up new frontiers too, exploring synthetic fuels made from captured CO2 and hydrogen. These solutions might play an even bigger role than we currently imagine – what other breakthroughs might be just around the corner?
 
Growing Together: Challenges That Unite Us
As we dig deeper, we find that decarbonisation isn’t just about new technologies – it’s about reimagining our whole society. Here’s what we’re learning:
Resource Innovation: How can we get smarter about using and reusing our raw materials? We’re seeing exciting developments in recycling technology every day.
Investment for All: While the transition needs significant funding – about 3-4% of GDP over two decades – we’re discovering new ways to make this work for both developed and developing economies.
Building Support Together: Perhaps our most interesting challenge is creating change that works for everyone. How can we design carbon-reduction policies that benefit all members of society, especially those most vulnerable to rising costs?
Grid Evolution: We’re learning that modernizing our electricity networks isn’t just about technology – it’s about working with communities to create solutions that work for everyone.
Food System Transformation: We’re discovering new approaches to agriculture that could help both our planet and our health, from changing what we eat to finding better ways to care for our soil.
 
Moving Forward Together
The path to full decarbonisation is one we’re still mapping out, but it’s filled with possibilities. Every day brings new insights, technologies, and ways of working together. While the challenge is urgent, we’re learning that when we combine our creativity and commitment, solutions emerge that we might never have imagined.
 
 
Chris Goodall
Chris Goodall is a leading authority on climate technologies and the global energy transition. His seven books on decarbonisation have earned international recognition, with two selected as Financial Times Books of the Year.
As an active cleantech investor and entrepreneur, Chris brings practical experience to climate solutions, from pioneering solar farms to investing in the UK’s first net-zero commercial laundry. He serves on the advisory board of the $5bn Pictet Clean Energy Transition fund in Geneva, bridging the gap between innovation and large-scale investment.
Chris holds degrees from Cambridge University and Harvard Business School, where he also taught economics. His unique combination of academic insight and hands-on business experience offers valuable perspective on overcoming the challenges of decarbonisation.