Online ‘Global Calculator’ tool launched

A project led by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and co-funded by Climate-KIC and its Chinese partner, the Energy Research Institute of National Development and Reform Commission, earlier this week unveiled the ‘Global Calculator’ at launch events simultaneously held in London and Beijing.
Built in collaboration with a number of international organisations from US, China, India and Europe, the Calculator is an interactive tool for businesses, NGOs and governments to consider the options for cutting carbon emissions and the trade-offs for energy and land use to 2050.

South Africa will be using a version of My2050 as part of a major national campaign to promote environmental education in schools, quoting at the launch event: “The tool will empower South Africans to make informed choices that contribute to a transition to a lower carbon economy and society”.
UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey szid: “For the first time this Global Calculator shows that everyone in the world can prosper while limiting global temperature rises to 2°C, preventing the most serious impacts of climate change.
Yet the calculator is also very clear that we must act now to change how we use and generate energy and how we use our land if we are going to achieve this green growth. The UK is leading on climate change both at home and abroad. Britain’s global calculator can help the world’s crucial climate debate this year. Along with the many country-based 2050 calculators we pioneered, we are working hard to demonstrate to the global family that climate action benefits people.”
Li Junfeng, director of National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC), said, “climate change is a serious threat to the world and a concern for the sustainable development of human kind and the wellbeing of our future generations. As a developing country, China has taken proactive measures to cope with climate change, which not only responds to its domestic call for building a beautiful and more sustainable country, but also demonstrates its shared responsibility to the world. This year, more than 190 countries are expected to sign a new treaty in Paris. The tool presents the complex energy systems analysis and climate impact in a very intuitive and simple way, for all those who care about energy development and climate change. It is a highly innovative achievement. The Global Calculator can help deepen our understanding of the serious issues we face today and the efforts we need to make. This tool has the potential to offer an important platform for decision makers in every country to use.”
Using data reviewed by over 150 international experts, this free and interactive tool shows that despite expectations that the world’s population will rise from 7 billion currently to 10 billion by 2050, it is physically possible for everyone to have a good standard of living while limiting global temperature rises to 2°C.
However, the tool shows that to be successful the world needs to act now and transform the technologies and fuels we use and make smarter use of our land for food, forestry and fuel.