Norway is an interesting test case for national energy transitions with an almost 100% zero-carbon electricity system (from hydro), the highest uptake of EVs anywhere in the world, and sizeable public resources for supporting energy innovation (largely accrued from fossil fuel rents!). Trondheim is the Norway’s answer to Silicon Valley, hosting a large and well […]
New research published in Nature Climate Change explains why 18 countries, mainly in the EU, have managed to peak and then decline their CO2 emissions from fossil fuels over the past decade. There are three main reasons why: a declining relevance for fossil fuels, a fall in energy demand, and strong national policy frameworks. To […]
Of the start ups showcasing their ideas at the Technoport 2019 conference in Trondheim, the tech capital of Norway, one stood out as offering both a potentially disruptive innovation and potential emission reductions. Invertapro breeds black soldier flies and mealworm beetles for use as protein substitutes in both human and animal food chains. Although they […]
Disruptive consumer innovations have to appeal to those buying or using them. But should public policy try and steer the disruption process? The CESAR project on low-carbon pathways for Canada argues that it should: “Looking forward to the next 30+ years of systems change, it is imperative to understand the implications of new technology, business […]
SILCI Bulletin on Disruptive Consumer Innovations and Climate Change December 2018 As the nations of the world gather in Poland for the latest round of climate change negotiations, the imperative to reduce emissions grows ever stronger. Disruptive consumer innovations have an essential part to play – from shared mobility and smarter homes to peer-to-peer […]
Charlie Wilson visited the International Energy Agency in Paris to present research on the potential contribution of disruptive consumer innovations to accelerated energy-system transformation in line with the 1.5oC climate target. This follows the recent IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5oC which had a dedicated (if short) section on disruptive innovation. Have a […]
The SILCI project has recruited two new members. Dr Emilie Vrain has joined as a Senior Research Associate from the University of East Anglia’s Environmental Science department. Emilie will be conducting research on the social networks of early adopters of disruptive low carbon innovations. She also has a strong interest in smart homes and appliances […]
Charlie Wilson gave a public lecture at his old alma mater, the University of British Columbia, on new research showing how to meet the 1.5oC climate target by transforming energy services. Examples of potentially disruptive innovations that can significantly reduce the energy required to provide useful services include shared mobility, pre-fabricated whole home energy retrofits, […]
A new online platform is tracking potentially disruptive ‘mega-trends’ which can contribute to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Launched by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), the ‘SDG Trend Scanner’ has data on trends ranging from ageing, automation, digitalisation to climate change, social instability, and vulnerable employment. As the […]
On his travels by boat and train across to Vancouver, British Columbia, SILCI project researcher Charlie Wilson stopped off in the prairie state of Saskatchewan where he spoke to the CBC about low-carbon travel as well as new research on low-carbon innovation and the 1.5°C climate goal. Fittingly, the day he was interviewed was the […]