Green Transition and Fossil Fuels: Economic perspectives

Only 10.4 % of the global energy consumption in 2016 was covered by so-called modern renewable energy sources. Moreover, the International Energy Agency has recently stated that it will be difficult to reach the Paris Agreement, among other things because global energy consumption continues to increase. But how are we currently doing in Denmark? We will look into this by discussing how environmental economics work in practice.

Even though environmental economics is addressing climate-related issues and environmental challenges, there is still a gap between research and policy. And with new problems with our climate emerging, should the way economics is used change as well? One example is biomass that is considered as a renewable energy source because its inherent energy comes from the sun, but why is carbon neutrality not assumed for all biomass energy?

During the event we will be accompanied by researchers from the University of Southern Denmark, that will introduce their work on a thesis that states Denmark can be free of coal, oil and natural gas for 150 DKK per person per month. Anders Winther Mortensen, Master of Science in Engineering, works on a PhD on the role of electrical fuels in the future energy system. Henrik Wenzel is Professor of Environmental Analysis and Head of Centre for Life Cycle Engineering. They believe that if people know the actual costs, it will benefit the green transition.

The event will also include contributions to the discussion on climate policy by Jette Bredahl Jacobsen, Professor in Environmental and Resource Economics, and on regulation by Lars Gårn Hansen, Professor at the Department of Food and Resource Economics, from the University of Copenhagen.

We invite you to a discussion on the role of economics in relation to climate policy, technical opportunities and regulation. The event is free of charge, but please do sign up.

CLOSED
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Programme:
16.55 - we get seated

17.00
FIVE KRONERS A DAY KEEPS THE FOSSIL FUELS AWAY // Anders Winter Mortensen and Henrik Wenzel, University of Southern Denmark
The technical solutions enabling us to leave fossil fuels in the ground are here and they have been for quite a while. So what are we waiting for?

CLIMATE POLICY AND THE ROLE OF BIOMASS // Jette Bredahl Jacobsen, the Danish Climate Council and Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen:
Biomass in the ecosystem represents both a carbon stock and a productive capacity for biobased products – what does this imply for our climate policy?

CRACKING THE CODE TO REGULATION ACROSS ETS AND NON-ETS SECTORS // Lars Gårn Hansen, the Danish Economic Councils and Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen:
New technology is critical for climate change mitigation, but how do we find and promote the right ones?

Q&A-SESSION
19.00
DEBRIEF // Say hi, shake hands, eat food and grab a drink.

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The event is for everyone interested in environmental and economic questions and especially economics students. We see it as a great opportunity for students of economics to get familiar with how policies work in practice which, for many, is not part of their curriculum. The event will be held in English.

The event is hosted by the student-group Økonomigruppen at Frederiksberg Campus with support from the Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO).