By 2040, the IEA new policies scenario projects a reduction in energy demand by just under 10% compared to the IEA current policies scenario. However, in order to achieve the sustainable development scenario which would limit global warming due to GHG emissions to ~2C requires a reduction of approximately 30% by 2040. However, the societal challenges the globe faces that demand further energy are: majority of the world’s populations still requires a significant improvement in the standard of living they have, nation’s further desire to see increased industrialization and there is continued urbanization with close to 70% projected to live in cities by 2050.
For example, the USA/ Canada use on the order of 7000 kgoe/ per person whereas the 2 most populates countries use significantly less: China uses approximately 2000 kgoe/pp and India uses less than 1000 kgoe/ per person. As we look at the closely at the basic need challenges for 9 billion people by 2050, the UN estimates food production must increase by 60% and similarly water demand is projected to grow by 55%. Therefore, demands for food and water will require greater amounts of energy to meet the projected growth. The challenge foreseen is that the complexity created due to the need to meet societal challenges and demands while trying to minimize climate impact will require significant efforts to model global systems to understand and make the best decisions to achieve sustainable development nationally and locally.
Shaffiq Jaffer joined TOTAL in 2009, as the Vice President of Corporate Science and Technology Projects in North America (NA) with as mission to find and fund novel ideas and technologies that will lead to breakthroughs to meet future energy demand while addressing the climate challenges. He is engaged across the research ecosystem: academia, startups, and private research companies, focused on building long lasting relationships that create value for TOTAL and its partners. Prior to TOTAL, he has worked for P&G and Koch-Glitsch in research and engineering roles. He was educated in Canada at University of Alberta (BS) and McMaster University (PHD) and is a Fellow of Canadian Academy of Engineering (FCAE).