By Business Daily
I have closely followed climate debates and actions since the Kyoto Protocol over 15 years ago, and it is interesting how the search for climate change solutions has stretched science, research and technology to new unimaginable levels.
Initial climate solutions centred on bio-fuels which were found not sufficiently sustainable, and with questionable carbon footprints. The emphasis then shifted to the substitution of high carbon coal and oil with low-carbon natural gas which has continued successfully. The clean nuclear energy has remained in doubt due to unresolved safety and environmental concerns.
Over the past 10 years, the focus has significantly turned to modern renewable energy options (solar, wind, electric batteries) with the aim of up-scaling these technologies to reduce unit costs to levels comparable with fossil energy alternatives. This has mainly been made possible by venture capital which aims to make big energy businesses out of these opportunities, supported by positive government policies and subsidies where justified.
