In efforts to address the climate crisis, the global energy system is far and away the most salient piece of the puzzle. Energy use accounts for roughly 73% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But the energy system is also complex and heterogeneous, comprising sectors as varied as electricity, steelmaking, and shipping, and taking on a strong regional distribution around the world. This makes decarbonization of energy particularly difficult and predicated on international cooperation. COP26, the 2021 United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, was one of the most prominent recent forums for brokering such international energy solutions. In this presentation, I will reflect on my observations as a delegate for the American Chemical Society at COP26. I will discuss the current state of decarbonization options for several key energy sectors, the key outcomes from COP26 on this front, and prospects for further progress in the near future.

International cooperation to decarbonize the global energy system: Reflections from COP26

ACS Spring 2022

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