Two years ago the world was preparing for COP25 in Madrid, and we released this episode (#36) about a calculator that was helping countries around the world to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and create more sustainable energy systems.

Just as relevant now as it was then, and for the benefit of newer listeners, we are re-running the episode this week.

When Professor David MacKay of Cambridge University wrote a book about sustainable energy in 2009, he could not have realised that this ground-breaking text would go on to form the basis for a calculator that could save the world from climate catastrophe. 

By investigating the true impact of energy demand and supply on carbon emissions he provided much needed transparency on the link between energy and the climate. Today his calculator has spread throughout the world from the UK across Europe, through Asia all the way to Australia – and take up is increasing.  

This episode was made at the 2050 Global Calculator Conference, Windsor, UK in 2019.

Try out the 2050 Calculator here

Guests

Laura Aylett, Programme Manager 2050 Calculator, Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

Sam Friggens, Senior Consultant Energy Strategy and Innovation, Mott MacDonald

Quoc Khanh, Senior Energy Consultant, 2050 Calculator, Vietnam

Jenny McInnes, Deputy Director for Partnerships & Capability, BEIS

Koen Meeus, Climate Change Section, DG Environment, Belgium

Madeleine Rawlins, Programme Leader 2050 Calculator, Mott MacDonald

Anna Stephenson, Senior Energy Advisor, DFID

Hoang Van Tam, Deputy Head, Office for Climate Change and Green Growth, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Vietnam

Professor Yufeng Yang, Asian Development Bank/Imperial College

Partner 

Mott MacDonald is a U$2bn engineering, management and development consultancy involved in: 

• solving some of the world’s most urgent social, environmental and economic challenges
• helping governments and businesses plan, deliver and sustain their strategic goals
• responding to humanitarian and natural emergencies
• improving people’s lives 

Its expertise by sector includes buildings, communications, defence, education, environment, health, industry, mining, oil and gas, power, transport, urban development, water, wastewater and more. Its skills encompass planning, studies and design, project finance, technical advisory services, project and programme management, management consultancy and beyond.

The post #137 The Calculator that Could Still Save the World first appeared on Engineering Matters.