Pathways, risks, and uncertainties 249
Unintended environmental impacts of low- carbon technologies
Many stakeholders expect low- carbon technologies to lead to positive
environmental impacts compared to the status quo. These most obviously occur
through climate change mitigation but also through national and regional
environmental benefits. However, as various stakeholder groups at the local
level have explained, when implemented and/or scaled up these technologies
can also lead to consequential risks with environmental impacts. These are a
Table 14.1 List of country studies and technological innovations to support low carbon
pathways
Country study
Technology sector
Pathways for incumbent large-scale technology systems
Austria
Potential to switch to a hydrogen-based energy
system for the iron and steel sector
Canada, Alberta (Athabasca oil
sands)
Promoting technological innovations to reduce
emissions that include carbon capture and storage
and reductions in methane flaring
United Kingdom
Considers nuclear power expansion with potential
for small modular reactors
Pathways towards renewable electricity systems
Chile
Explores a mix of renewable energy including solar
power and hydropower
The Netherlands
Potential to scale up solar PV in the built
environment and for larger scale solar PV in parks
Spain
Evaluates the roll out of renewable energy and
highlights the role of solar
Switzerland
Options to scale up renewable energy for solar,
wind, and geothermal
Kenya
Considers an expansion of renewables through
geothermal energy
Pathways energy efficient building sectors
China
Considers incorporating energy efficiency
technologies within its built environment in the
residential building sector
Greece
Explores energy efficiency technologies in both
public and private (residential and service)
buildings
Pathways using renewable household-level technology at the community level
Indonesia (Bali)
Investigates the potential for biogas applications in
its agriculture sector for cooking
Kenya
Explores efficient retort kilns and cook stove
improvements based on sustainable charcoal
technologies
Unintended environmental impacts of low- carbon technologies
Many stakeholders expect low- carbon technologies to lead to positive
environmental impacts compared to the status quo. These most obviously occur
through climate change mitigation but also through national and regional
environmental benefits. However, as various stakeholder groups at the local
level have explained, when implemented and/or scaled up these technologies
can also lead to consequential risks with environmental impacts. These are a
Table 14.1 List of country studies and technological innovations to support low carbon
pathways
Country study
Technology sector
Pathways for incumbent large-scale technology systems
Austria
Potential to switch to a hydrogen-based energy
system for the iron and steel sector
Canada, Alberta (Athabasca oil
sands)
Promoting technological innovations to reduce
emissions that include carbon capture and storage
and reductions in methane flaring
United Kingdom
Considers nuclear power expansion with potential
for small modular reactors
Pathways towards renewable electricity systems
Chile
Explores a mix of renewable energy including solar
power and hydropower
The Netherlands
Potential to scale up solar PV in the built
environment and for larger scale solar PV in parks
Spain
Evaluates the roll out of renewable energy and
highlights the role of solar
Switzerland
Options to scale up renewable energy for solar,
wind, and geothermal
Kenya
Considers an expansion of renewables through
geothermal energy
Pathways energy efficient building sectors
China
Considers incorporating energy efficiency
technologies within its built environment in the
residential building sector
Greece
Explores energy efficiency technologies in both
public and private (residential and service)
buildings
Pathways using renewable household-level technology at the community level
Indonesia (Bali)
Investigates the potential for biogas applications in
its agriculture sector for cooking
Kenya
Explores efficient retort kilns and cook stove
improvements based on sustainable charcoal
technologies