Energy systems transition and net zero

The importance of reducing emissions to limit the worst effects of climate change is globally recognised. Enacting these net zero aspirations and replacing fossil fuels though will require significant changes to energy systems. The increased proportion of electricity met by intermittent renewables will require that demand and the overall system is much more interconnected, digital, flexible, efficient, and responsive. Storage and dispatchable, low-carbon generation will be needed to balance the system. For the remaining demand uneconomic to electrify, such as high-temperature industrial processes and flying, other solutions will be needed such as hydrogen. All these changes share common challenges in the scale of deployment; resource and land availability; growth of supply chains; developing new markets and reforming existing ones; and perhaps most importantly, ensuring that the transition is fair and affordable for all.