Due to the depletion of fossil energy resources and the threat of global warming, the world faces the imperative of a complete transformation of its energy system. However, the builtup of a renewable energy system itself requires non-renewable resources, that is fossil fuels and metals, which will become more scarce during the coming years and decades, therefore possibly slowing and constraining the expansion of a renewable energy system. Coming resource scarcities might impede the growth of a renewable energy system not only directly but also indirectly: A scarcity induced slowing of GDP growth risks to translate into a decline of investments in renewable energy systems. Against this background, the project “Feasible Futures” assesses (1) physical requirements of renewable energy systems, (2) likely geological and polito-economic availabilities of key resources, (3) the effect of resource scarcities on the energy transition in Austria and (4) risks and feasibilities of Austrian and EU-policies in the field of renewable energy systems. Based on this assessment, the project attempts at analyzing different energy transition scenarios, resulting in a discussion of policy recommendations with a focus on macroeconomic frameworks and innovative socio-economic regulations.
fuels and metals) which might become scarce in the next years and decades, possibly limiting the
global expansion of these systems. Insofar as scarcities reduce GDP growth, the energy transition
might be further impeded due to a decline in investments. Thus, the project assesses (1) physical
requirements of renewable energy systems, (2) likely geological and politico-economic availabilities of
key resources, (3) the effect of resource scarcities on the energy transition in Austria, (4) risks and
feasibilities of Austrian and EU-policies in the field of renewable systems against this backdrop.
Within this framework, energy transition scenarios will be analyzed. Finally, policy recommendations
are discussed, with a focus on macroeconomic framework conditions and innovative socio-economic
regulation approaches.The transition to renewable energy systems requires non-renewable resources (fossil fuels and metals) which might become scarce in the next years and decades, possibly limiting the global expansion of these systems. Insofar as scarcities reduce GDP growth, the energy transition might be further impeded due to a decline in investments. Thus, the project assesses (1) physical requirements of renewable energy systems, (2) likely geological and politico-economic availabilities of key resources, (3) the effect of resource scarcities on the energy transition in Austria, (4) risks and feasibilities of Austrian and EU-policies in the field of renewable systems against this backdrop. Within this framework, energy transition scenarios will be analyzed. Finally, policy recommendations are discussed, with a focus on macroeconomic framework conditions and innovative socio-economic regulation approaches.gggThe transition to renewable energy systems requires non-renewable resources (fossil
fuels and metals) which might become scarce in the next years and decades, possibly limiting the
global expansion of these systems. Insofar as scarcities reduce GDP growth, the energy transition
might be further impeded due to a decline in investments. Thus, the project assesses (1) physical
requirements of renewable energy systems, (2) likely geological and politico-economic availabilities of
key resources, (3) the effect of resource scarcities on the energy transition in Austria, (4) risks and
feasibilities of Austrian and EU-policies in the field of renewable systems against this backdrop.
Within this framework, energy transition scenarios will be analyzed. Finally, policy recommendations
are discussed, with a focus on macroeconomic framework conditions and innovative socio-economic
regulation approaches.The transition to renewable energy systems requires non-renewable resources (fossil fuels and metals) which might become scarce in the next years and decades, possibly limiting the global expansion of these systems. Insofar as scarcities reduce GDP growth, the energy transition might be further impeded due to a decline in investments. Thus, the project assesses (1) physical requirements of renewable energy systems, (2) likely geological and politico-economic availabilities of key resources, (3) the effect of resource scarcities on the energy transition in Austria, (4) risks and feasibilities of Austrian and EU-policies in the field of renewable systems against this backdrop. Within this framework, energy transition scenarios will be analyzed. Finally, policy recommendations are discussed, with a focus on macroeconomic framework conditions and innovative socio-economic regulation approaches.