Events & Courses

Future forecasts of world energy demands show a growth of 30% by 2035, driven by population growth of 1.5bn people.  To stay on course for the Paris Agreement of ‘well below 2 degrees C’ requires a major reduction in fossil fuel use.  In the UK, progress on emission reduction from 1990 to 2015 has been good.  Future alternatives include continued growth in wind and solar power, where costs have fallen considerably.  

Potentially tidal or small modular nuclear reactors are alternatives, though further research is required to prove these are cost competitive.  Later targets in 2028-32 are more challenged and it should be remembered that these ‘80% below 1990 emissions’ targets were aimed at a 2 degrees C, not the more ambitious Paris target.  There has been less progress in transportation, which accounts for ​24% of emissions.  

Significant increases in electric vehicles (EVs) are expected, but forecasts vary.  Does this affect UK offshore oil and gas production?  The ideal scenario of using existing infrastructure for carbon capture and storage (CCS) however, seems challenged.  As geologists we are well accustomed to thinking about ranges, we are used to dealing with uncertainty. The talk, from a ‘non-expert’ in much of this subject will consider – from this array of predictions, what do we need to believe to accept either high or low scenarios and what are the indicators we may see along the way?

Time

Refreshments from 18:00

Meeting starts at 18:30

Expected to finish by about 19:30

Cost

Free

Speaker

Malcolm Brown, BSc MSc, CGeol, FGS

President, Geological Society of London

Registration

Registration is essential for this event as there are a limited number of seats available in the venue.  Priority will be given to Fellows, Candidate Fellows and Juniors of the Geological Society who are members of the Home Counties North Regional Group.  Please book your places on a first-come-first-served basis by e-mail.

Further information

For further information see flyer.