Energy and Climate Change

The climate crisis represents the single greatest challenge humankind faces today. The level of evidence-based, scientific consensus is such that the focus for society must be to urgently mitigate climate change and adapt to its current and future impacts.

All parts of society must contribute to reducing carbon emissions to meet climate change mitigation targets. Yet decarbonisation of the power sector is crucial to economy-wide decarbonisation. The transformation of energy systems must accelerate the uptake of low carbon technologies and reduce global reliance on fossil fuels.

Adaptation and resilience are essential to complement efforts at mitigation. Resilience measures must be implemented by all aspects of society and economies. The benefits of working more closely with nature rather than depleting the services it can provide, achieving multiple benefits to combat the risks from heat and water stress, storms and flooding will also need to be prioritised.

In July 2019 our trustees declared a climate and ecological emergency, pledging that we will aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, make climate champions of our members and mobilise the profession to drive adaptation and resilience to a 4oC hotter world. Read our declaration here.

Our dedicated COP26 page also explores the key climate adaptation and mitigation challenges currently facing the globe, with input from CIWEM members and the wider water and environmental sector.

Our work in this area includes climate change mitigation (emissions reduction to slow global heating), adaptation and resilience, electricity generation including from renewables, energy efficiency, and the water-energy nexus.

Related Policy Position Statements

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