Publication

Societal implications of reaching 100% renewables in Switzerland

2025

Abstract

Is there a global, or Swiss, energy crisis? More broadly, how to think about the role of energy in society? How much energy do we need to live well, and where should this energy come from? How does this compare to other countries and past historical periods? This talk focuses on societal implications of reaching 100% renewables in Switzerland, which means completely exiting fossil fuels. This is entirely possible, but will require profound changes in society, especially including eliminating most wasteful consumption and significantly reducing inequalities. The Decent Living Standards framework, which we have adapted to the Swiss context, provides useful guidance.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4027476b-e13f-44ee-a031-f2683dcb8de5

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2025

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/4027476b-e13f-44ee-a031-f2683dcb8de5

About this result

Related concepts (23)

100% renewable energy

100% renewable energy means getting all energy from renewable resources. The endeavor to use 100% renewable energy for electricity, heating, cooling and transport is motivated by climate change, pollution and other environmental issues, as well as economic and energy security concerns. Shifting the total global primary energy supply to renewable sources requires a transition of the energy system, since most of today's energy is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels.

Energy crisis

An energy crisis or energy shortage is any significant bottleneck in the supply of energy resources to an economy. In literature, it often refers to one of the energy sources used at a certain time and place, in particular, those that supply national electricity grids or those used as fuel in industrial development. Population growth has led to a surge in the global demand for energy in recent years.

Renewable energy commercialization

Renewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat. Second-generation technologies are market-ready and are being deployed at the present time; they include solar heating, photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal power stations, and modern forms of bioenergy.