English Version | Less talk, more energy

The renewable kind, that is. The one that minimizes carbon footprints, environmental impacts and one that allows, within a responsible consumption, to reduce waste and contribute to a circular economy. But also more energy of the human kind, the one that feeds on enthusiasm and a positive attitude. That good energy of a joint effort that is, along with “green” energies, positive energy.

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Spoiler alert: this article is full of clichés. Clichés such as the urgency in abandoning fossil fuel, clichés such as the emergence of more planet-friendly resources and energies, clichés such as the need for more effective action and fewer empty words, clichés such as the reality of climate change and the threat to the species, as a consequence of Earth's declining health. But just because they're commonplace doesn't make them vulgar or unimportant, quite the contrary: more than ever, it's important to repeat them so they don't become ordinary. In fact, they're not clichés: they are premises. Its challenge is still very palpable and increasingly urgent, which is why we may sound like a broken record. But don't worry: this record might be broken, but doesn't wear out, it renews itself — as long as it's applied intelligently — and it's zero waste, because this set of clichés, iI mean, premises, will be put to good use at 100%. Which is, in a simplistic way, what is intended for the energies of the future, among which is clean energy, a suitable and self explanatory name for renewable energies.

Renewable energies, such as solar, hydro and wind, are energies that not only come from natural sources or processes, but are naturally replenished - for example, the sun doesn't stop shining nor the wind stops blowing, even if these phenomena are not standardized. And the truth is that we see this type of energy as “new”, but we've been using it for centuries — in windmills or water mills to grind grain, for example, or as a push for a sailboat. The advent of the industrial revolution, between the 18th and 19th centuries, brought to the table other energies of natural origin, but not renewable, such as coal, gas and oil, which, being cheaper, became massified to unbearable and harmful extremes. But constant innovation in the area of ​​renewables has brought less and less expensive, more effective and efficient options in the way of storing and taking advantage of this type of “clean” energy, making them an increasingly obvious and greater reality.

Although greatly expanding, renewable energies continue to fall short of expectations. Why? Because transition is urgent — and the keyword here is “transition”, as you will soon understand — since (says Science and the International Energy Agency (IEA), which works with governments and industry to design a sustainable energy future for all) the last decade has been hotter than any in the last thousands of years. A study shared by the United Nations also adds that the year 2021 set new records (not good ones) in this field, in a “clear sign that human activities are causing changes on a planetary scale not only in soils, but also in oceans and atmosphere, with dramatic and lasting ramifications. The key to mastering this crisis is to end our dependence on fossil fuels – the main cause of climate change”, the UN writes. Simply put, this is what we all already know happens: carbon dioxide and other harmful gases (about three quarters of greenhouse gases result from the burning of fossil fuel to generate energy, in addition to being responsible for the pollution of the atmosphere with fatal repercussions on public health) are released into the atmosphere, damaging the ozone layer (which protects and regulates the planet's temperature), creating a greenhouse effect that causes an increase in the planet's average temperature - the so-called global warming. The imbalance in temperatures means harmful consequences for everything: melting ice and rising sea levels, extreme drought and precipitation and other natural phenomena such as earthquakes and hurricanes that jeopardize biodiversity and the ecosystem with an ever-increasing butterfly effect. “The good news”, says António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, “is that the solution is right in front of us”, stressing that renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar already exist today and, in most cases, are cheaper than coal and other fossil fuels. “Without renewables”, concludes the Secretary-General, “there can be no future”.

“WE HAVE TO BE AWARE THAT WE ARE IN A TRANSITION PHASE, IN WHICH SOME PURCHASE OPTIONS MAY NOT BE 100% GREEN TODAY, BUT PUSH THE WHOLE 'SYSTEM' SO WE CAN GET THERE FASTER, ESPECIALLY IN PORTUGAL. SINCE ABOUT 50% TO 60% OF THE ELECTRICITY PRODUCED IS RENEWABLE, FUELING OUR CAR WITH ELECTRICITY, MEANS TO BE SUPPLYING IT WITH 60% SUN, WATER AND WIND.” - Sofia Santos

Fortunately, in global terms in general, and in Portugal in particular, the use of this type of energy has increased: “Portugal has an excellent framework and performance in this field. Between January and April 2022, about 59.4% of the electricity generated was renewable: wind (32.8%); water (14.09%); solar (4.8%); bioenergy (7.7%). That is why the main renewable resources that we currently exploit in Portugal are wind, water (dams) and there is an immense potential in the sun as a resource”, tells us Sofia Santos, economist and Sustainability Champion in Chief at Systemic, also revealing that “according to the National Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality, in 2050, endogenous resources (wind, sun) will represent more than 80% of primary energy consumption, whereas only 20% of the sources to produce electricity will come from natural gas and petroleum products, which implies that we will reduce our energy dependence from around 78% to 20% in 2050. There will be a combination, but one where the renewable component will be much greater (80%). This combination is still necessary to ensure that we have several energy producing systems, in case something unforeseen arises in one of them. With the development of more technology that also runs on electricity, we will gradually transition to an electrification of the economy based on a renewable-based mix.” Santos, who has more than 20 years of experience in sustainable management, sustainable financing, stakeholder involvement, strategies and action plans for mitigating climate change - a framework she best applies at Systemic, an organization whose ultimate goal is to help other companies on this path towards sustainability -, shares with Vogue that “in April 2022, the renewable incorporation in electricity generation was 62.1%, and the fossil component was only 31.4%. Meaning, we are already on the right path to stop being dependent on energy produced by sources that we have to import (such as gas and oil) and to be much more independent, as we have our electricity produced with internal natural factors. This is also Europe's ambition to become independent from fossil fuels imported from Russia by 2030. Portugal is in a good position, here”. Maria do Rosário Rodrigues, Secretary of the National Board of QUERCUS ANCN, highly renowned reference in supporting sustainability as a non-governmental organization for the Environment and a member of CAN - Climate Action Network, corroborates this good position, sharing the same data. The geographer and master in Statistics and Information Management with a postgraduate degree in Solar Energy, a diploma in Advanced Studies in Territory, Environment and Sustainable Development and a doctoral student in Environment, begins by clarifying that “it is important to consider in the first place what is defined as renewable resources in electricity production. Thus, we can consider hydro, wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal energy (oceanic) and geothermal energy as renewable resources”, adding that, in Portugal, “it seems to us that the most viable are, to this date and with the current technology available, wind and solar. The hydropower is viable for the production of electricity, but it poses other problems of sustainability of water resources, as well as with regard to the protection of biodiversity, since they are dams that constitute obstacles to the movement of migratory fish. Our position in relation to dams is that, in the current scenario, there are no solutions that make this migration possible, nor the concern or legal framework that requires it. Finally, biomass can be considered useful if a network of small electricity production centers is implemented close to forest or agricultural areas that allow for the collection and disposal of forest or agricultural residues in a viable way. If there is no such proximity and the use of small centers, cutting down viable forest to feed large biomass plants is a crime. Trees are not waste and the operation of large power plants requires a large amount of wood to be burned”, warns the specialist.

Both Sofia Santos and Maria do Rosário Rodrigues confirm that we already depend on a large scale on renewable energies, but not 100%. Why not? “First of all, today if there were only renewable energies in Portugal and if we kept everything else the same, we wouldn't have a functional economy because there are still many homes with gas, we still have a lot of fleet that consumes gasoline and diesel, and there are industries that, for machinery to work, they need a higher calorific value than electricity can still provide.”, warns Santos, from Systemic. “Therefore, we have to see this process of transition to a greener and renewable economy as a process that implies that a lot happens at the same time: public and private investment in green infrastructure (such as electric chargers, strengthening the national electrification network, promoting the switch from gas installations to electricity in citizens' homes, etc.); technology to be developed, both in terms of mobility, buildings and industry; and consumption habits also have to be different. A huge change, but one that makes our whole life much healthier, as it implies much less pollution for everyone”. Rodrigues, from Quercus, also calls for the adoption of “measures that allow the massive use of solar energy in a decentralized way, with the placement of photovoltaic modules on soils already waterproofed by urban occupation, namely on the roof of buildings, (…) [and] that the concept of 'netzero' buildings becomes mandatory, ie buildings that produce all the energy they consume is of extraordinary relevance”. It's not randomly that the IEA says that the “cleanest energy is the energy we don't use”, in a mantra that intends to enclose in a single sentence the concept of energy efficiency, that is, without waste. Essentially, energy efficiency ensures that every watt generated by renewable energies such as wind and solar can be made the most of, dramatically reducing the cost of this “green” transition. How? Using technology, infrastructure and smart machinery that allow us to optimize the use of renewable energies and the way we consume them. It's reusing the energy we spend, simply put. According to this international energy agency, which organized a conference on energy efficiency at the beginning of June this year and from which it drew the following conclusions, faster action is urgently needed in this matter, underlining that “the current challenges regarding energy security, energy prices and the cost of living have intersected with those of the climate crisis to remind us that energy efficiency is more indispensable than ever. The cleanest, cheapest and most reliable source of energy is the one that countries can avoid using while still being able to fully provide energy services to their citizens. This is why the IEA refers to energy efficiency as 'the first fuel'. Without timely action on the efficiency front, the transition from energy to zero emissions will be more expensive and more difficult to achieve”, reads the report of this Global Conference. The increase, says the analysis, in this acceleration of effective action, will mean that the global economy, “in 2030, could be a third more energy efficient than in 2020”. Why is it also important to streamline this behavior? Because, recalls Sofia Santos, “renewable resources depend on nature. But fossils too. Therefore, the 'snap' of renewable resources lies in being able to use them as quickly as possible so that climate change, resulting from fossil fuel pollution, does not alter the climate in such a way that it may jeopardize national plans of use for renewable resources, due to extreme climate change”.

It's not just the planet that is grateful for this swift transition; society and the taxpayers as well. “Most of the efficiency measures in the Net Zero Scenario,” writes the IEA in the aforementioned report, “are already cost-effective and pay for themselves through energy savings, even more so given current energy prices. In short, a more efficient building, car or factory requires less energy to function as it always has, with cost savings greater than the investment needed to achieve them.” And, obviously, energy efficiency is not mentioned without mentioning renewable and clean energies, a challenge that also extends to fuels, responsible, in the fossil front, for the increase of the planet's temperature, since, when burned, they release to the atmosphere carbon dioxide, triggering the butterfly effect that we all know too well. But what are fossil fuels? Formed from the decomposition of carbon-based organisms that died millions of years ago, they create carbon-rich deposits that are then mined and burned for energy. Non-renewable, they are used in the production of plastic, steel and a number of other products, and come in three types: coal, gas and oil. If you have a car, you probably belong to the majority who have recently complained about the price of a barrel of the latter. Electric vehicles have been mitigating the environmental (and budget) issue, because, not requiring combustion or fossil fuel, they don't release greenhouse gases. Which doesn't mean that they are fullproof: much has been said about the polluting aspect of the lithium batteries they use and their environmental impact when it's necessary to discard them, but experts continue to defend that, in this transition - that word that has so often punctuated this text and rightly so - are still the best alternative. “It's all about technology and economies of scale. The more the population buys electric cars, the more investment there will be to identify a solution for batteries, and the faster this problem will stop being so serious”, shares Sofia Santos, from Systemic. “We have to be aware that we are in a transition phase, in which some purchase options may not be 100% green today, but push the whole 'system' to get there faster”, confirming that they are a 'greener' energy than the fossil one, “specially in Portugal. Because around 50% to 60% of the electricity produced in Portugal is renewable, filling our car with electricity means that we are filling the 'tank' with 60% sun, water and wind. And this is much better than fueling 100% gasoline and oil, which generate CO2 emissions.” Maria do Rosário Rodrigues also adds on the problem of lithium batteries that “it is also necessary to verify the entire chain of the battery recycling process and implement policies and solutions that allow it. The solution of exporting waste to other countries that do not have solutions for this recycling is an environmental crime on a global scale. At the moment, lithium batteries are the viable alternative, it is necessary to take care of the environmental and social impacts both in the production chain and in the recycling chain”, also confirming that “with the aforementioned points taken into account, lithium batteries are a more sustainable solution than fossil energy. We can say that there are no single solutions, there is a multifactorial analysis that adapts each solution to the needs and objectives where this option produces better results from the point of view of environmental, social and also economic sustainability so that it becomes viable in its massive adoption”.

"OVER THE YEARS, MODERNIZATION MEASURES HAVE BECOME MANDATORY WITH REGARD TO SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE, WORKER PROTECTION AND TRAINING. IT'S TIME TO FACE ENERGY ISSUES AS A PRIORITY FOR THE BUSINESS SECTOR AND IT WON'T BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT WILL RELIEVE BUSINESS COSTS.” - Maria do RosÁrio Rodrigues

This less positive side of electric vehicles has put some hope in hydrogen as the fuel of the future, but his hero status is far from enshrined. The applause of hydrogen is because of the scope of its authority - it can produce electricity, power industry and enable mobility, and unlike fossils, when it is burned, it only generates water as collateral damage and not greenhouse gases. But hydrogen is not all the same: “Everything points to it [hydrogen as the fuel of the future], but it has to be hydrogen produced with renewable energy. Only then will it make sense to bet on this option”, warns Systemic's Sustainability Champion in Chief. “Citing Portugal's National Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality in 2050, it is anticipated that hydrogen will gradually gain expression, reaching a global contribution of 4% in final energy consumption by 2050. It will be an important decarbonization vector in some sectors with few alternative technological options, such as heavy passenger and freight transport. This hydrogen will be produced using electricity from renewable sources, and by 2050, 5% to 8% of the total electricity produced will be used for hydrogen generation”. What does it take for this to happen? “Investment in innovation and technology, both in its production and in new technologies that can receive green hydrogen to function”, explains Santos. Maria do Rosário Rodrigues corroborates that hydrogen seems to be the fuel of the future, provided that “the issue of using natural gas for its production is taken cared of, as well as the need to convert all existing natural gas distribution infrastructures” , adding that, in order to be a reality, “it is necessary to optimize existing technology or find new technological solutions that allow production without the use of fossil fuels or the construction of mega photovoltaic plants”.

A couple of pages later, what does this text say in between the lines (or rather, screams)? That none of these changes happen without an active role by both the government and the population, whether at the individual level, or at the level of institutions and companies. The United Nations platform talks about five measures to start this transition now: first, making renewable energy technology a global public good, meaning, accessible to everyone and not just those who can afford it, removing obstacles to sharing and knowledge transfer; improving global access to components and raw materials that allow building and storing and generating and using renewable energy, such as wind turbines and electric vehicles; level the playing field with regard to renewable energy technologies, working not only on global cooperation and coordination, but also on the framing of domestic policies in each country, accelerating renewable energy projects and catalyzing private sector investments; redirect subsidies from fossil fuels (one of the biggest financial barriers in this transition) to renewable energy; and invest three times more in renewables, whether in infrastructure or technology, in order to reach the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. “Making it mandatory for all buildings to be 'netzero'. A massive incentive policy for the installation of photovoltaic solar modules and a legal framework that makes it mandatory. Subsidizing the production of decentralized solar energy in buildings, instead of subsidizing the use of fossil fuels in vehicles. Exempt from VAT on photovoltaic equipment and all others linked to the production of electricity from a renewable source”, lists Maria do Rosário Rodrigues about the measures to be taken to make this 'green' future a reality. “More than 2/3 of our economic fabric is made up of small and medium-sized companies that do not know how to proceed to save energy in their production processes”, she warns. “They just know that energy is getting more and more expensive and that's why efforts will be made to save it. The issue is the education of entrepreneurs to transform processes and products, and this transition is lengthy and difficult. Give more incentives to companies to implement solutions using renewable energy, for example by subsidizing this implementation or financial deductions, in short, anything that contributes to 'push' greater energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies. Over the years, modernization measures have become mandatory with regard to safety in the workplace, labor protection for workers, training. It's time to face energy issues as a priority for the business sector and it won't even be difficult because it will relieve the costs of companies with FSE - External supplies and services”. “Change implies public and private investment”, assures Sofia Santos, from Systemic. “In the past we've had these transitions: from riding a horse to a car; from typewriters to computers; from floor-to-ceiling processors to a laptop-sized processor. We are going through a similar transition, but as we are 'within it' we cannot 'see' it. Companies are making efforts and are being pushed and induced by regulation. The financial sector too. For example, the capital requirements of banks will be linked to the environmental quality of loans: the greener the loans, the less risky they'll be; the more there are loans to companies that are making the transition, the risk of that company decreases. The world's central banks already recognize that the climate is a financial risk. And access to capital will, and is already, becoming associated with good environmental practices by companies. And when it comes to money... things move faster.”

But small individual gestures also make a difference - not everything depends on government or funding. We are more than 7 billion human beings in this world, a small commitment from each one means more than 7 billion steps towards sustainability. “Consume less and better, and this doesn't imply loss in quality of life; to be aware that the planet is out of balance and if nothing changes, in 20 years, life will be even harder on planet Earth – more storms, droughts, diseases; to be available for a green fiscal policy that helps the most disadvantaged not to increase their costs with decarbonisation; to be more empathetic, responsible as a citizen. We lack the genuine spirit of humanism, of helping the poorest and of leading by example”, warns Santos, adding that “it is increasingly urgent to use renewable natural resources such as sun and wind. This will have a fundamental impact on lowering our carbon footprint. But we also have to change our consumption habits. (…) Saving is not spending. And not spending is to increase resources for the future. Therefore, saving energy (green or non-green) is always the best way to protect the future.” “Consuming less doesn't mean living worse”, adds Rodrigues, from Quercus, “just changing habits and making our day-to-day less energetic and more efficient. On the other hand, environmental and social activism is an important instrument in democratic societies to pressure governments and authorities to implement more sustainable policies and measures. (…) The adoption of measures and policies that require energy savings, as well as the constant awareness of citizens is a determining factor for the protection of all ecosystems on Earth. If we consume less, we save natural resources”.

This is also why both emphasize the importance of another type of energy: “the energy of positive people! That can actually change the world”, like Sofia Santos, whose enthusiasm is evident. Maria do Rosário Rodrigues matches the vibe, with a practical solution: “All the kinetic energy that we produce when we move should be the object of technological development that allows its use”. And if that energy seems spent, renew it with good reasons: “the feasibility of the practical application of these measures is already a reality at the moment”, assures the Secretary of the National Board of Quercus. “There is a lack of policies that make their adoption mandatory. This is valid for energy efficiency measures such as the production of electricity from renewable sources. (…) The adoption of policies and mandatory measures that lead to 'net-zero' buildings is possible, feasible and urgent”. And “Portugal is on the right path as one of the European countries with the best renewable energy mix”, concludes the Systemic representative. “The current European conflict has only highlighted the urgency of countries to be independent from imported fossil energies and to use their natural resources in the production of electricity. Portugal is abundant in these resources and therefore has a good story to tell”. Plus, there's always hope. Another cliché that doesn't wear out, to finish off this text with positive energy.

Translated from the original on Sunny Vibes issue from Vogue Portugal, published july 2022.Full stories and credits in the print version.