Moving from principles to action for energy supply that mitigates against climate change requires a long-term perspective. Energy infrastructure takes time to build up; new energy technologies take time to develop. Policy shifts often also need many years to take effect. In most world regions the transformation from fossil to renewable energies will require additional investment and higher supply costs over about twenty years.
As part of the Energy [R]evolution scenario, Greenpeace also commissioned the Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik Institute in Munich, Germany to research a new fossil fuel resources assessment taking into account planned and ongoing investments in coal, gas and oil on a global and regional basis (see fossil fuel pathway Chapter 7).