International Energy says in a report release today that the world is not on track to control the temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius and urged the governments to put in action four energy policies that would help keep the climate goals without harming economic growth.

“Climate change has quite frankly slipped to the back burner of policy priorities. But the problem is not going away – quite the opposite,”IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said in London at the launch of a World Energy Outlook Special Report, Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map, which highlights the need for intensive action before 2020.

Two-thirds of global greenhouse-gas emissions are generated by the Energy Sector, “This report shows that the path we are currently on is more likely to result in a temperature increase of between 3.6 °C and 5.3 °C but also finds that much more can be done to tackle energy-sector emissions without jeopardizing economic growth, an important concern for many governments.” she also said.

International Energy Agency says: “We identify a set of proven measures that could stop the growth in global energy-related emissions by the end of this decade at no net economic cost,” said IEA Chief Economist Fatih Birol, the report’s lead author. “Rapid and widespread adoption could act as a bridge to further action, buying precious time while international climate negotiations continue.”

The recommendations:

Targeted energy efficiency measures in buildings, industry and transport account for nearly half the emissions reduction for 2020,

Limiting the construction and use of the least-efficient coal-fired power plants delivers more than 20% of the emissions reduction and helps curb local air pollution.

Actions to reduce methane (a potent greenhouse gas) releases into the atmosphere from the oil and gas industry provide 18% of the savings.

Reducing the fossil fuel consumption accounts for 12% of the reduction in emissions and supports efficiency efforts.

The Energy sector is not immune to global warming and must adapt, mapping the vulnerabilities of this sector in case of sea levels and temperature rising, is very clear that they have a lot to loose and should invest their time and money implementing the necessary changes.

IEA is showing us a way to reduce Global Warming, hopefully our policy makers and industry especially Energy sector will hear the cry and start doing something that help protect this beautiful planet if not for us at least for their own good and those of their business and families.

Written by Edgar Soto