Kick the Habit: A UN Guide to Climate Neutrality

Hydroelectricity

Wind

Energy captured from wind by turbine blades is transmitted to a generator to produce electricity.

* High production rate (efficiency) * Mature technology n o G H G e m i s s i o n s * Energy captured from falling freshwater by turbines is transmitted to a generator to produce electricity. Water basin disruption: * Big dams flood regions (community and economy lose usage) * Artificialized riverbanks and dams harm fauna and flora.

Principle

Advantages

Currently attractive for investors

n o G H G e m i s s i o n s *

* Landscape artificialization (visible areas) * Danger for birds and bats * Noise

Drawbacks

Site constraints

Needs strong wind (high points and plateaux)

Availability of water resource is critical

Geothermal

Ocean

Naturally stable groundwater warms up or cools a water circulation system (local scale) or the steam runs a turbine (power plant).

The power of the tidal flows or waves runs turbines.

Principle

Energy bill reduction

High production rate (efficiency)

Advantages

n o G H G e m i s s i o n s *

n o G H G e m i s s i o n s *

* Landscape artificialization * Community and economy lose usage (tourism) * Artificialized coastlines harm fauna and flora.

* Needs outside surface (garden) * High cost for installation * Needs electricity to run the heat pump (unless wood is used)

Drawbacks

Site constraints

Needs accessible coastline and high tidal fluctuation

Greatest efficiency in volcanic regions

Source: UNEP-GRID-Arendal, Vital Climate Graphics , 2005; Godfrey Boyle, Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future , 2004.