We are not alone…

zerocarbonbritain2030 demonstrates how Britain can eliminate emissions from fossil fuels and break our dependence on imported energy by 2030 by significantly increasing energy efficiency and by installing massive renewable energy generation.

In Europe, America and across the world, many organisations are examining how their nations and regions can do the same.

Please contact us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you know of any similar projects not listed below.

Global Scenarios

"Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power", Part I & II, 2011

Study published in Energy Policy by Jacobson and Delucchi showing the feasibility of providing all energy for all purposes (electric power, transportation, and heating/cooling), every where in the world, from wind, water, and the sun. Finds that the cost of energy would be similar to the cost today and concludes that barriers to a 100% conversion to wind, wave and solar power worldwide are primarily social and political, not technological or economic.

"The Energy Report - 100% Renewable Energy by 2050", February 2011

Scenario by WWF and Ecofys, showing that a transition is not only possible but also cost-effective, providing energy that is affordable for all and producing it in ways that can be sustained by the global economy and the planet. The 1st part seeks to generate a discussion around the comprehensively researched scenario that is presented in the 2nd part, conducted by project partner consultancy Ecofys.

"Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable World Energy Outlook", 2010

Scenario by Greenpeace and EREC providing a detailed practical blueprint for cutting CO2 emissions, while achieving economic growth by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Global CO2 emissions under the Energy [R]evolution scenario would peak in 2015 and drop afterwards. Compared with 1990, CO2 emissions will be more than 80% lower by 2050 if the energy supply is based almost entirely on renewable energies. By 2050 around 95% of electricity could be produced by renewable energy.

"Carbon-constrained scenarios": Cired, Enerdata, Leppii, IDDRI, 2009

Reduction of world emissions in 2050 from two-thirds to three quarters of the 1990 level.

"Deciding the Future: Energy Policy Scenarios to 2050", World Energy Council, 2007

This study works out 4 general scenarios of the world in 2050, all of them indicating an emission growth.

"World Energy Outlook", International Energy Agency

This is an annual publication, which provides critical analytical insights into trends in energy demand and supply and what these mean for energy security, environmental protection and economic development.

"INFORSE Global 100% Sustainable Energy Vision 2050"

By INFORSE, International Network for Sustainable Energy, written in 2002. This scenario states that a total shift towards a sustainable energy system is possible within a period of about 50 years, and that the costs to scoiety will be small or even negative, if the changes are well planned and phased in as part of the natural change of plants and equipment.

Regional Scenarios

"RE-thinking 2050 - A 100% Renewable Energy Vision for the European Union", EREC - European Renewable Energy Council, April 2010

RE-thinking 2050 presents a pathway towards a 100% renewable energy system for the EU, examining the effects on Europe’s energy supply system and on CO2 emissions, while at the same time portraying the economic, environmental and social benefits of such a system. Moreover, the report provides policy recommendations for what is needed to fully exploit the EU’s vast renewable energy potential.

"EU-27 100% Sustainable Energy by 2040", INFORSE-Europe, 2011 Update.

The European Sustainable Energy Vision by INFORSE-Europe includes a vision for the transition of the energy supply and demand for the 27 EU countries to 100% renewable energy, together with phase-out of fossil and nuclear energy until 2040.

"Europe’s Share of the Climate Challenge - Domestic Actions and International Obligations to protect the Planet", Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), 2009

The report analyses how Europe can embark on a domestic transition to a low GHG future - enabling it to achieve GHG emissions reductions of 40% by 2020 and close to 90% by 2050 relative to 1990 levels. This study achieves this through a combination of radical improvements in energy efficiency, the accelerated retirement of fossil fuels and a dramatic shift toward various types of renewable energy forms. The report also assesses Europe’s international obligations for assisting the world’s developing nations make a transition to a low-GHG future by using the Greenhouse Development Rights (GDRs) framework as a basis for assessing fair contributions to a global climate effort.
It was developed in partnership with Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE).

"The Vision Scenario for the European Union", Öko-Institut, Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament Berlin, 2011 Update

This scenario has been produced by the Greens and European Free Alliance parties in the European Parliament. In this scenario, the total greenhouse gas emission reduction amounts to 35% in 2020, 57% in 2030 and 91% in 2050. Additional measures in land use, land-use change and forestry could enable a 95% emissions reduction. Renewable energies represent a share of 20% in the total primary energy supply in 2020, nearly 40% in 2030 and about 90% in 2050.

"European Energy and Transport: Trends to 2030", European Commission - Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, 2003

The 'Trends to 2030' publication gives detailed projections on energy and transport for the then current EU and an enlarged EU of 25. It also addresses wider European and world developments. These 'baseline' projetions show how the future energy, transport and CO2 emissions may unfold with a continuation of current trends and policies.

An update to the 2003 publication was made in 2007.

"EU Energy [R]evolution - a Sustainable EU27 Energy Outlook", Greenpeace, December 2008

A Greenpeace-commissioned report demonstrates how Europe can significantly reduce its emissions while strengthening its economy.

A Viable Energy Strategy for the Nordic Countries 2006-2030, 2006

A Nordic energy scenario by Greenpeace Nordic demonstrates that CO2-emissions can be reduced by 67% in 2030 (compared to 1990) in parallel with nuclear power phase-out in Sweden and Finland until 2025.

National Scenarios

Australia

Zero Carbon Australia Plan (ZCA2020), 2010
100% renewable energy by 2020. The project is entirely the work of a team of volunteer contributors - ordinary Australians with experience and expertise in engineering and other relevant disciplines.

Belarus

Belarus INFORSE Vision2050, 2008-09
Originally developed by INFORSE in cooperation with Belaya Rus and other Belarus NGOs in 2004. New version was developed in 2008 - 2009 in cooperation with Minsk Division of International Academy of Ecology.

Belgium

‘Energy Revolution' Scenario: A Sustainable Pathway to a clean energy future for Belgium, 2006
Scenario developed by Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, Department of Systems Analysis and Technology Assessment (DLR), Stuttgart, Germany, for Greenpeace Belgium.

Bulgaria

Bulgarian INFORSE Sustainable Energy Vision 2050, 2010
Developed by INFORSE-Europe in cooperation with the Bulgarian INFORSE-Europe member Za Zemiata. The Bulgarian Sustainable Energy Vision follows the principles of the INFORSE-Europe's Vision for EU.

Czech Republic

Smart Energy, 2010
This scenario was developed by Hnuti DUHA (Friends of the Earth), Calla, Greenpeace Czech Republic, Veronica and Centre for Transport and Energy.
Based on the study: Lechtenbohmer, S., Prantner, M., et Samadi, S.: Development of alternative energy & climate scenarios for the Czech Republic, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Wuppertal 2009.

Denmark

"Denmark - 100% Sustainable Energy Vision 2030", INFORSE-Europe and the Danish Organization for Sustainable Energy (OVE). Update in 2011.
The Danish Vision 2030 is similar to the version for the EU, presented by INFORSE, but it is developed to fit the targets and visions of Danish INFORSE members. The proposed developments follow the general path as in the Europe vision, but given the large wind and possible wave resources in Denmark, the target is for a phase-out of fossil fuels by 2030.

The Danish Society of Engineers
The Danish Society of Engineers (IDA) have produced two different plans - 'Energy Plan 2030' and 'Climate Plan 2050'.

Ombygningen af energisystemet, 2010
(Reorganisation of the energy system)
Report by Greenpeace, Denmark, showing the technical and economical possibilities of changing the Danish energy system, to make it possible for Denmark to fulfil the carbon goals and to become independent of fossil fuels.
Only available in Danish at:
http://www.greenpeace.org/denmark/Global/denmark/p2/stop-klimaaendringerne/report/2010/ombygningen-af-energisystemet.pdf

Danmark på nedtrapning, 2010
Description of the energy scenario in the  report "Ombygningen af energisystemet" by Greenpeace (above). The scenario shows the carbon reduction possibilities in the Danish energy sector - 46% by 2020 and 73 % by 2030.
Only available in Danish at: http://www.greenpeace.org/denmark/Global/denmark/p2/stop-klimaaendringerne/report/2010/danmark-paa-nedtrapning.pdf

Finland

“Towards a Low-Carbon Finland”, Prime Minister’s Office Finland, 2009
The Government adopted in October 2009 the Foresight Report on Long-term Climate and Energy Policy. Setting a target to reduce Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% from the 1990 level by 2050 as part of an international effort, the report marks out the road to a low-carbon Finland in 2050. The scenarios include CCS, nuclear energy and hydrogen.

The Finnish Association of Graduate Engineers (TEK) and the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland (UIL)

The report can be found here.

France

"Summary of the Analysis of Existing French Low-Carbon Scenarios", December 2009
By Meike Fink, RAC-France
2-page article from the Low Carbon Societies Network's newsletter No. 2.
Download the article Newsletter No. 2, 2009, pages # 3-4 from: Newsletter

“Scénario énergétique de référence”, DGEMP-OE, 2008
This is only available in French.

“Document de prospective SEEDS”, Seeds, 2008

Available here in English.

"Nucléaire : comment en sortir ? Etude sur des sorties du nucléaire en 5 ou 10 ans", Réseau Sortir du Nucléaire, 2007
Download the pdf file of full report in French.
Download an English summary: "Nuclear Energy Phase-Out in France – Summary of the Study on Fast Nuclear Phase-Out within 5 or 10 years"

“Perspectives énergétiques de la France à l'horizon 2020-2050” , Centre d'analyse stratégique, Commission énergie - Jean Syrota, 2007 
Only available in French.

“NégaWatt”, Association NégaWatt,  2006 
A French energy scenario claiming a CO2 emission division by 4,2 in 2050 compared to 2000. Only available in French.

“Négatep”, Association Sauvons le Climat (SLC), 2007
Négatep claims a division of the CO2 emissions by 4 in 2050, criticising the NégaWatt scenario. Only available in French.

“Rapport du Groupe de travail « Division par quatre des émissions de gaz à effet de serre de la France à l’horizon 2050", 2005
This report gives recommendations about how greenhouse gas emissions in France can be cut by four by 2050. Only available in French.

"La division par 4 des émissions de dioxyde de carbone en France d’ici 2050", Interministerial Task Force on Climate Change (MIES), 2004.
This study describes 6 different scenarios. The most ambitious one reaches a reduction in French CO2 emissions by one third in 2050 compared to 2000.

“Politique énergétique nationale et lutte contre l’effet de serre“, Henri PREVOT, 2004 
This scenario describes a cut in French CO2 emissions by 2.8 in 2030 compared to 2000. Only available in French.

"Etude pour une prospective énergétique concernant la France", Observatoire de l’Energie, International Energy Agency - Direction Générale de l’Energie et des Matières Premières – ENDERDATA, LEPII, 2004.
This scenario describes a cut in French CO2 emissions by 3.1 in 2050 compared to 2000. Only available in French.

“Énergie 2010-2020. Trois scénarios énergétiques pour la France”, Commissariat général du plan, 1998
Only available in French.

Germany

"Low Energy Scenarios for Germany" December 2009
Comparison by By Jan Burck, Germanwatch
One page article from the Low Carbon Societies Network's newsletter No. 2.
Download the article Newsletter No. 2, 2009, page #2 from: Newsletter

“Blueprint Germany – a Strategy for a Climate Safe 2050”, WWF, 2009
‘Blueprint Germany’ has been prepared by Prognos, Öko-Institut and Dr. Ziesing on behalf of WWF. The scenario shows that the transformation from a high-carbon to a low-carbon economy with a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions in 2050 is possible and affordable. 


"Lead Study", Study commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), 2008
The most ambitious one of the scenarios bundled in this study aims for an 80% reduction of German CO2 emissions in 2050 compared to 1990 levels.
See the scenario at BMU's website.

"Energieziel 2050: 100% Strom aus erneuerbaren Quellen", 2010
(100% renewable electricity supply by 2050)
Developed by The German Federal Environment Agency, Umwelt Bundes Amt (UBA). This demonstrates how Germany’s electricity supply could be powered completely by renewable energies using technology already on the market today. 
The report is only available in German.

"Climate-friendly, reliable, affordable: 100% renewable electricity supply by 2050", 2010
Developed by German Advisory Body (SRU) on Environment in May 2010. The report describes how Germany can phase out fossil fuel from its power production by 2050.

Great Britain

"Zero Carbon Britain", Centre for Alternative Technology, 2007-2010
Transition of the UK energy systems until 2030, a policy framework and a scenario to eliminate emissions from fossil fuels within 20 years.
Download on this web site.

Hungary

Hungarian INFORSE Vision 2050, 2010 
The Hungarian Vision2050 is similar to the INFORSE's Vision for EU; but developed to fit to Hungary in cooperation with the Hungarian INFORSE member KNE and a group of ELTE University students. Developed by Béla Munkácsy, KNE (Environmental Education Network Association).

Japan

Energy Rich Japan report, 2003

The Energy Rich Japan (ERJ) report examines how Japan's energy needs can be reduced and ultimately be supplied by a sustainable energy system, using exclusively local and renewable energies.

Latvia

Latvian INFORSE Vision 2050, 2007/2009
Developed by INFORSE in cooperation with Latvian INFORSE member Latvian Green Movement. The Latvian Vision2050 follows the principles of the INFORSE vision for EU.

Lithuania

Lithuanian INFORSE Vision 2050, 2006/2008/2010
It is developed by INFORSE together with the Lithuanian INFORSE member Atgaja. The Lithuanian Vision2050 is similar in structure to the vision for EU. The Vision was first developed in 2006 and was updated in 2008 and 2010 to the current version.

Poland

Poland's Alternative Energy Policy until 2030
Report on a 2-year study of developing 6 alternative scenarios for Polish future energy, including nuclear and renewable energy scenarios.

Romania

Romanian INFORSE Vision 2050, 2004/2007
The Romanian Vision2050 was developed by INFORSE in cooperation with Earth Friends (Prietenii Pamantului), Romania 2003-2004. A major update was made in 2007.

Russia

Russian INFORSE Vision 2050, 2008
The Russian Vision2050 was developed by INFORSE 2007-2008 based on available information on renewable energy potentials, energy consumption, and assumption on future growth in energy service demand and energy efficiency.

Energy [R]evolution, A Sustainable Russia Energy Outlook, 2009
The Energy [R]evolution Scenario by Greenpeace Russia and EREC reduces carbon dioxide emissions from the Russian energy sector by 78% by 2050 below 1990 levels.

Slovakia

Slovakian INFORSE Vision2050 - Fossil-Free Slovakia
The Slovakian Vision2050 was developed by Emil Bedi, Foundation for Alternative Energy, INFORSE-Europe.

Spain

Renovables 100% - Un sistema eléctrico renovable para la España peninsular y su viabilidad económica, 2006
100% Renewables: A renewable electricity system for mainland Spain and its economic feasibility, report developed by Greenpeace Spain.
There is a Spanish version and a summary in English.

Sweden

Energy scenario for Sweden 2050, WWF

This energy scenario for Sweden aims at providing close to 100% of the energy by renewable sources, with a high level of environmental concern for possible impacts on natural ecosystems.

Turkey

The Energy [R]evolution scenario for Turkey

The Energy [R]evolution scenario by Greenpeace and EREC reduces carbon dioxide emissions from the Turkish energy sector by 18% below 1990 levels by 2050. This is in English.

Ukraine

The INFORSE Vision2050 for Ukraine
The Ukrainian Vision2050 was developed by INFORSE-Europe in cooperation with REA. The vision is based on official national forecasts for the development of Ukrainian economy and data from the draft Ukrainian Energy strategy for the period till 2030.