New anthology highlights technical solutions behind a successful climate transition
Around 50 people attended the recent launch of the Handbook on Climate Change and Technology, which included panel debates and a networking lunch hosted by KTH Energy Platform and KTH Climate Action Centre. The handbook is intended to pave the way for improved collaboration around the socio-technical solutions needed to address climate change. Later the same day, the book was presented to Sweden’s Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari, who was visiting KTH.
Much of the technology that makes it possible to address aspects of climate change already exists today at cost-competitive prices. The Handbook on Climate Change and Technology makes a contribution by compiling socio-technical perspectives for addressing climate change from various disciplines, including both technical and social sciences.
“One of the aims of the book is to be sufficiently comprehensive so that people from different sectors and scientific fields can learn from each other. We need a broader systems perspective with knowledge of each other’s sectors to manage climate change,” says Frauke Urban, co-editor of the book and Professor in Industrial Economics at KTH.
Urban’s fellow editor is Johan Nordensvärd, Associate Professor in Industrial Economics at KTH.
Sixty authors from around the world
The handbook includes contributions from approximately 60 authors from research institutions and universities worldwide, of which around 10 are affiliated with KTH.
KTH Energy Platform hosted the book launch together with the KTH Climate Action Centre.
“The book is set to become a key source of knowledge for all those researchers, students, politicians and decision-makers who need a holistic view of the complex challenges we face in the future,” says Lina Bertling Tjernberg, Director KTH Energy Platform and Professor of Electric Power Grids.
During the launch, two panel discussions were held with several of the book’s contributors, both of which were moderated by Francesco Fuso-Nerini, Director of the KTH Climate Action Centre. Both sessions started with brief presentations of the capital each author contributed.
The first panel consisted of Bertling Tjernberg, Fabian Levihn, researcher at KTH and Head of R&D at Stockholm Exergi, Lennart Söder, Professor of Electric Power Systems, and Martin Björklund, researcher at Linköping University.
The technology is out there
Participants spoke about how their respective chapters related to others in the book, and what synergies exist in the knowledge presented in the book. Among the conclusions was that much of the technology required to address climate change is already available, such as wind power and energy efficiency measures, but that some areas require more research and development. For existing technical solutions to be scaled up, however, stronger commitment and clearer will on the part of political decision-makers is required.
Discussions focused on the considerable potential of BECCS when used as a complement to other technologies, and how important the buildings of tomorrow will be to reduce the climate impact.
The panellists called for more long-term planning in the energy system, and the need to take into account a greater mix of different forms of production in the future.
The day’s second panel consisted of Johan Nordensvärd, Associate Professor in Industrial Economics, and Fumi Harahap and Mahrokh Samavati, researchers at KTH’s School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), Aneta Kulanovic, researcher at Linköping University and Anna-Maria Nyquist, researcher at the Department of Industrial Economy and Management (INDEK).
The discussion focused on how to increase the implementation of new technical solutions, including in the transport sector, and how the pace of climate action can be increased by collaboration between countries, sectors and companies.
Greater knowledge needed
Among the solutions highlighted was the need to increase knowledge about new technology, such as alternative fuels for decarbonizing aviation and maritime shipping, as well as using political instruments and policies as drivers of technological shifts. The panel also highlighted the importance of everyday lifestyle choices and the opportunities that companies and consumers have to influence progress with their consumption patterns.
The need for measures to enable more sustainable choices, such as better labelling on consumer products that indicate products’ climate impact, was discussed.
The book launch concluded with a joint networking lunch for all participants.
Later in the day, the book was presented to Sweden’s Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari who was visiting KTH to learn about the development of fusion power, particularly at the Novatron Fusion Group. Last year, KTH Energy Platform held a seminar on fusion technology projects, read more about the planning of the KTH Fusion Centre.
Read an interview with Frauke Urban about the handbook.
TEXT: Magnus Trogen Pahlén