Integrating Policy, Technology, and Equity as Pathways to a Net-Zero Future

The global energy transition demands a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy systems, and it is driven by a pressing need to combat climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has called for a more than 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 in order to peg global warming at 1.5°C. This is against the backdrop of 2024’s CO₂ emissions surpassing 40 gigatonnes. This chapter introduces the technologies, frameworks, and efforts that are required to match the urgency of this transition. It looks at frameworks for a just transition and emphasises policy innovations like the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act. Technologically, tools like geospatial techniques used for optimising renewable deployment and equity are explored. Technological advancements in hydrogen, solar, wind, energy storage, and artificial intelligence (AI) are underscored as decarbonisation drivers. Others, such as perovskite-based silicon solar cells and green hydrogen production via Power-to-X, are also explored. Bioenergy and decentralised energy systems such as waste-to-energy and solar minigrids – all crucial for sustainability and energy access in regions like sub-Saharan Africa – are briefly discussed. Case studies and success stories that showcase local and globally integrated solutions that drive energy access and affordability, especially in developing countries and across geographic borders, are highlighted. A strong case in point is the EU-Namibia Green Hydrogen Initiative, which may be a blueprint for a fair global transition.