Expert energy council to advise policy-makers on 100% renewables

A new expert body has been formed to advise governments and organisations around the world on how best to ditch fossil fuels and make the switch to 100 per cent renewables.  

Made up of a dozen world renowned energy experts, analysts and consultants, the International Energy Advisory Council (IEAC) was launched this week to assist with the design and implementation of forward-looking, sustainable energy policy, as part of the global effort to mitigate climate change.

The group’s firm focus, however, is the replacement or avoidance of the world’s incumbent centralised fossil-fuel and nuclear-energy systems with a combination of energy efficiency and decentralized renewable energy systems.

The collective intelligence of the team is impressive – representing nine difference nationalities, its analysts and consultants have collectively advised more than 200 governments and organisations in 27 countries – including Australia – as well as more than 50 international organisations.

Chairman of the IEAC team, the UK’s Allan Jones, was instrumental in the development of the City of Sydney’s ground-breaking Decentralized Energy Master Plans.

“The world no longer needs or wants centralised energy, fossil fuel or nuclear power plants, and we believe that 100% renewable energy systems are achievable based on a combination of energy efficiency measures and local decentralized renewable-energy systems providing the remaining energy requirements,” said Jones in a statement on Monday.

American physicist and energy innovator – and founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute – Amory Lovins is also a member of the Council, whose latest work as RMI Chief Scientist has included leading the superefficient redesigns of buildings, vehicles and industrial facilities.

Other members of the 12-person team include energy experts from Japan, Germany, Sweden, India and the US.