Last month marked the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). The event, held in Glasgow, was the fifth since the landmark Paris Agreement was signed during COP21. The Paris Agreement is the first binding pact that brings nations together to combat climate change. The overarching goal of the agreement is to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to preindustrial levels. Under the agreement, countries must submit their plans for climate action, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), every five years, raising the profile of this year’s COP. In their NDC, countries must communicate what actions they will take to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
A critical tool for reducing GHG emissions is sustainable and renewable energy solutions. The Biden Administration highlighted this in the recent Build Back Better Bill, which includes $555 billion in clean energy investments, incentives, and tax credits. As industry, governments, and consumers increasingly drive adoption of alternative energy, some interesting developments are emerging.
Solar. Solar panels mounted on your roof were once just as much a status symbol as the sports car in your driveway. The high cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels could be traced to their costly raw materials, such as high-grade silicon, and advanced...
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