Deep Decarbonization Scenarios

The 2015 global climate agreement, the Paris Climate accord, laid out near-term emissions reduction and climate change plans for countries around the world. It also called on countries and stakeholders to consider what it would take to reach greater reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through midcentury strategies. These net-zero, or deepdecarbonization, scenarios are meant to inform the policies, technologies, and investments that would be required to reduce emissions commensurate with scientifically derived targets. This discussion will review some of the strategies and analyses put forward by companies, institutions, and countries with regard to deep decarbonization.

The CSIS Energy & National Security Program is pleased to host Jeremy Bentham, VP Global Business Environment at Royal Dutch Shell, and Philippe Benoit, former head of the Energy Environment Division at the International Energy Agency and current Senior Associate (Non-resident) with the Energy & National Security Program, for a discussion on deep decarbonization scenarios. Bentham will present Shell's new Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions. The report explores possible ways in which the world's energy system could evolve to meet future demand while simultaneously mitigating climate change. Benoit will discuss the IEA's 450 Scenario, a 2°C scenario in which concentration of greenhouse gas emissions are limited to 450 parts per million CO₂. Kaufman will round out the discussion with a comparison of the Mid Century Strategies, prepared for the Marrakesh climate talks by the Council on Environmental Quality.

Sarah Ladislaw, Director and Senior Fellow with the CSIS Energy & National Security Program, will moderate.

This event is off-the-record.