There is a pressing need to accelerate the development of low-carbon energy technologies in order to address the global challenges of energy security, climate change and economic growth. This challenge was acknowledged by ministers from G8 countries at their meeting in June 2008 in Aomori, Japan where they declared the wish to have IEA prepare roadmaps to advance innovative energy technology. It was reconfirmed by IEA member countries.    

To achieve this ambitious goal, the IEA is developing a series of global low-carbon energy technology roadmaps covering the most important technologies. The IEA is leading the process, under international guidance and in close consultation with government and industry. The overall aim is to advance global development and uptake of key technologies to reach a 50% reduction in energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050. The roadmaps identify priority actions for governments, industry, financial partners and civil society that will advance technology development and uptake to achieve international climate change goals.

Each roadmap represents international consensus on milestones for technology development, legal/regulatory needs, investment requirements, public engagement/outreach and international collaboration. The following low-carbon technology roadmaps are now available:

Biofuels | foldout

Bioenergy for Heat and Power | foldout

Carbon Capture and Storage | foldout

CCS Industrial Applications | foldout

Cement | foldout

Concentrating Solar Power

Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles |  foldout

Energy Efficient Buildings: heating & cooling systems

Geothermal | foldout

Nuclear Power | foldout

Smart Grids | Smart Grids Insights

Solar Photovoltaic Power

Wind Energy | foldout

Translations

Biofuels for Transport (Chinese)

技术路线图 智能电网 |Chinese Smart Grids - foldout (Chinese)
Concentrating Solar Power foldout (Chinese)
Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles foldout (Chinese)
Nuclear Power | Nuclear Roadmap - foldout (Chinese)
Nuclear Power (Italian)

The IEA has shared the roadmaps as input to a number of international for a, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Technology Mechanism discussions, the Major Economies Forum on Energy & Climate and Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). The roadmaps were featured in the Energy Technology Perspectives publication.  Based on its experience, and to respond to requests for guidance, the IEA has developed a Guide to developing and implementing Energy Technology Roadmaps that can be used by government and corporate stakeholders to use roadmaps as a strategic planning tool.

The first series of IEA technology-specific roadmaps are international in scope.  Developing country and technology-specific roadmaps provide an opportunity to adapt IEA analysis, methodology and tools to regional context and objectives.  The IEA is working closely with countries to support their national roadmap efforts including the

• China Wind Energy Roadmap
• 2050中国风能技术路线图

For the latest on IEA energy technology activities and findings, subscribe to the free OPEN Energy Technology Bulletin.

To review the significant recent achievements of IEA’s multilateral technology initiatives, consult Energy Technology Initiatives.