Climate-Neutral World: Design and Implementation

Kornelis Blok is a distinguished Professor of Energy Systems Analysis at TU Delft and a renowned expert in climate change mitigation and energy transition. His career began with co-founding Ecofys at age 28, a consultancy company now part of Guidehouse, which pioneered the Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach widely used by companies for emission reduction targets. His academic journey includes positions at Utrecht University, where he earned his PhD in Energy Science and MSc in Physics, before joining TU Delft. As chairman of the Delft Energy Initiative, he oversees all energy research at the university. His contributions to climate science include serving as lead author for the 3rd, 4th, and 6th Assessment Reports of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, his research spans industrial energy efficiency, consumption patterns, renewable energy systems, carbon capture and storage, and international climate policies. In 2022, his lifelong dedication to solving energy and climate issues was recognized with the prestigious "Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion" royal honor.

Mirjam Harmelink serves as the manager of the Urban Energy Institute at TU Delft, bringing over 25 years of expertise in climate change and energy systems. Her academic foundation includes a Master's degree in Technology and Innovation from TU Eindhoven, which she completed between 1991-1993. Her career spans significant roles, including work at Ecofys, where she contributed to groundbreaking research on energy efficiency and market barriers, and the National Institute of Climate and Health in the Netherlands. As an independent consultant and project manager for 12 years, she developed expertise in quantifying effects of market failures in end-user energy and evaluating sustainability of district heating networks. At TU Delft, she focuses on urban energy systems, heating transition strategies, and policy evaluation, while contributing to international energy efficiency assessments. Her work has influenced European energy and climate policies, particularly in areas of district heating systems and urban energy transitions.