Background

The Worldwatch Institute is an independent research organization that provides accessible, fact-based analysis of critical global issues designed to empower decision makers to build an ecologically sustainable global society.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will release a Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation in February 2010, which is likely to have a far-reaching impact on energy policy decisions around the globe. Worldwatch will play a major role in producing it, and will also go beyond this to provide policy analysis and recommendations, and take the messages directly to climate and energy policy makers.

Purpose

To enable Worldwatch to play a major role in research, analysis and production of the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation through 2010 and to make policy recommendations based on it, and

To produce an early report for release at Copenhagen to educate policy makers about the immediate and longer-term potential for renewable energy in concert with EE to mitigate climate change, and providing success stories including REEEP projects.

Main Activities

• Play a major role in producing the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation.
• Janet Sawin, Worldwatch senior researcher, will be a lead author on the Policy, Financing and Implementation chapter.
• Produce a brief, accessible advance report in late 2009 targeting policy makers  to highlight the potential of renewable energy to mitigate climate change, its synergies with energy efficiency and most effective policies.
• Disseminate this report and its findings through the media, the Worldwatch website, via networking and collaborat-ing with other IPCC authors, and with a side event at COP-15 in Copenhagen
• Work with policy makers directly to design and enact strong renewable energy policies

Expected Impact

• Education of policy makers about the potential of renewable energy to mitigate climate change, about the synergies between renewables and energy efficiency, and the policies needed to accelerate their deployment.
• To influence decisions taken before and at COP 15 in Copenhagen, helping to ensure a strong global agreement
• Strengthening of policies to promote renewable energy in key countries
• Bringing about of strong renewable energy commitments at COP-15 in Copenhagen and beyond