Achieving stringent climate targets: An analysis of the role of transport and variable renewable energies using energy‐economy‐climate models

Anthropogenic climate change is threatening the welfare of mankind. Accordingly, policy makers have repeatedly stated the goal of slowing climate change and limiting the increase of global mean temperature to less than 2°C above pre‐industrial times (the so‐called “two degree target”). Stabilizing the temperature requires drastic reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to nearly zero. As the global system of energy supply currently relies on fossil fuels, reducing GHG emissions can only be achieved through a full‐scale transformation of the energy system. There are many possible paths to realize such a decarbonization, resulting in a variety of distinct energy‐economy systems. Different transformation paths require different technologies and system changes, and will result in different socio‐economic and environmental impacts.