Getting to Green Abundance
Green abundance is our vision of optimal performance, in which an economy’s environmental impact has decreased to a level that no longer threatens the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Every major sector of the economy contributes to the consumption of fossil fuels, and to the associated release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs). Historically, these fossil fuels have been relatively cheap and so have not necessarily stimulated a restrictive approach to energy use. But, pricing conditions have recently changed, especially as a result of concerns over security of supply, alongside increasing demand. As a result, there is an opportunity for each sector can improve its environmental performance and reap the cost benefits that ensue.
Innovation is central to reaching this goal and getting the very best out of the opportunities sustainability has to offer. It is – and always has been – the source of progress.
An ICT -based innovation agenda is an essential part of the work needed to get closer to making the vision of green abundance a reality. By monitoring, reducing and eventually fundamentally transforming their environmental footprints, the main sectors can progress and decouple economic success from environmental impacts.
The energy sector will move towards a decentralised, renewable energy-based smart grid. Mobility will be based on electric vehicles and optimised through intelligent transport. Households will both drive and adopt environmental progress in other sectors, in part through smart working. Industrial producers will optimise the environmental performance of products throughout their lifecycles and the supply chain. Co-operation is key.
