The role for low carbon electrification technologies in poverty reduction and climate change strategies: A focus on renewable energy mini-grids with case studies in Nepal, Peru and Kenya

Energy Policy ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 591-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annabel Yadoo ◽  
Heather Cruickshank
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Change Strategies ◽  
Low Carbon

scholarly journals Aligning Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals With an Innovation Systems Roadmap for Renewable Power

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca R. Hernandez ◽  
Sarah M. Jordaan ◽  
Ben Kaldunski ◽  
Naresh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Innovation Systems ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Development Goals

Energy development improves quality of life for humans, but also incurs environmental consequences. A global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy may mitigate climate change but may also undermine the capacity to achieve some or all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we use an innovation systems approach to construct a comprehensive roadmap for solar and wind energy to anticipate and improve impacts of a transition to a low carbon future in a manner ensuring climate goals and SDGs are mutually reinforcing. Our multidisciplinary approach began with an assessment of public investments in renewable energy followed by a 2-day research prioritization workshop. Fifty-eight expert workshop participants identified six research themes that proactively address the environmental sustainability of renewable energy. Next, we identified linkages between the six research themes and all 17 SDGs. Finally, we conducted a scientiometric analysis to analyze the research maturity of these themes. The results of these efforts elucidated the limits of existing knowledge of renewable energy-SDG interactions, informing the development of a research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RD3) roadmap to a renewable energy future aligned with both climate goals and SDGs. The RD3 roadmap has been designed to systematically develop solutions for diverse actors and organizations. Overall, our findings confer a broad vision for a sustainable transition to renewables to minimize unintended environmental consequences while supporting interoperability among actors particularly poised to influence its magnitude and direction.

scholarly journals Green Economy for Sustainable Development in Nepal: Role of Forestry Sector

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 96-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhav Karki
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Poor Country ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Rural And Urban

Although there is no unified view among the policy makers and development experts on what represents and drives a Green Economy and there is also no clarity on what it means for the mountain countries like Nepal, the concept is however, very pertinent in the context of rapid climate change and unsustainable development. There is a general agreement that green economy provides opportunities for developing and forest rich country like Nepal as the fossil fuel-based and import oriented consumerism based economy cannot be successful today and in future. It is likely that green economy could be a good vehicle to reach sustainable mountain development (SMD). However, there is a need to develop specific and strategies and action plans to implement green and low-carbon economic activities. First and foremost, there is a need to develop a national policy and to use green economy to achieve poverty reduction and sustainable development. The economic growth rate has to be sustained while reducing poverty through sound development plans and programmes actively participated and managed by poor and enterprising rural and urban communities and supported by government, non-government and donor agencies. There are numerous challenges in adapting and adopting Green Economy policies in a poor country like Nepal. Capacity and skill development, technology adaptation, transfer, and retrofitting to suit Nepal’s hilly and mountainous terrains, need for huge investment in processing and value addition, and of course adapting to and mitigating against climate change are some of the major challenges. Notwithstanding these constraints, green economic policies and programmes can be means to achieve sustainable development in the mountainous region. There is need to document good case studies for drawing lessons so that future green growth pathway can be charted in a flawless manner and scaling up of the success to create bigger impacts can be achieved. Finally, effective and outcome oriented implementation will require multi-disciplinary planning, interdisciplinary implementation, and effective and participatory monitoring and evaluation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/init.v5i0.10259   The Initiation 2013 Vol.5; 96-109

National Policies to Promote Renewable Energy

Daedalus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed T. El-Ashry
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
The World ◽  
New Energy ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

The world is entering a new energy era marked by concerns over energy security, climate change, and access by the poor to modern energy services. Yet the current energy path is not compatible with sustainable development objectives. Global demand for energy will continue to grow; so will CO2 emissions. Achieving a low-carbon energy world will require an unprecedented technological transformation in the way energy is produced and used. That transformation has begun, as renewables capacity continues to grow, prices continue to fall, and shares of global energy from renewables continue to increase. Government policies are the main driver behind renewable energy's meteoric growth. Still, the world is tapping only a small amount of the vast supply of renewable energy resources. There is broad consensus that the role of these resources should be expanded significantly in order to meaningfully address energy security, energy access, and climate change.

scholarly journals TENDENCY OF GLOBAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE WORLD IN THE LAST TEN YEARS

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isak Karabegović
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
The World

It is well-known that, in the past decades, the burning of fossil fuels was identified as the major cause of climate change. Climate change mitigation is becoming a central concern of global society. Limiting global warming to below 2 °C above the temperature of the pre-industrial period is the key to preserving global ecosystems and providing a secure basis for human activities, as well as reducing excessive environmental change. The ambitions increased at an accelerated pace with a dramatic expansion of net zero-emission targets. Increasing pressure from citizens and society has forced countries to intensify their climate plans, while the private sector has bought a record amount of renewable energy. An energy system based on fossil fuels must be replaced by renewable energy with low carbon emissions with improved energy efficiency. That applies to all consumers of fossil energy: cities, villages, building sectors, industry, transport, agriculture, and forestry. The paper explores and presents the strategy of energy development of renewable energy sources in the world. The application of new technologies that have led to developing renewable energy sources is presented in detail: wind energy, solar energy, small hydropower plants, biomass, and their increase in the total share of energy production, i.e., reduced fossil fuel use in energy production. Investments in new technologies used in renewable energy sources have led to increases in employment worldwide. Analysis of the trend of increased energy production from RES (Renewable Energy Sources) with investment plans, the employment rate for each energy source, and the development of renewable energy sources in the coming period are provided.

scholarly journals Estimated climate impact of replacing agriculture as the primary food production system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hugh MacDougall ◽  
Joeri Rogelj ◽  
Patrick Withey
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Primary Production ◽  
Production System ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Climate Impact ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Food Production System

Abstract Global agriculture is the second largest contributor to anthropogenic climate change after the burning of fossil fuels. However the potential to mitigate the agricultural climate change contribution is limited and needs to account for the imperative to supply food for the global population. Advances in microbial biomass cultivation technology have recently opened a pathway to growing substantial amounts of food for humans or livestock on a small fraction of the land presently used for agriculture. Here we investigate the potential climate change impacts of the end of agriculture as the primary human food production system. We find that replacing agricultural primary production with electrically powered microbial primary production before a low-carbon energy transition has been completed could redirect renewable energy away from replacing fossil fuels, potentially leading to higher total CO2 emissions. If deployed after a transition to renewable energy, the technology could alleviate agriculturally driven climate change. These diverging pathways originate from the reversibility of agricultural driven global warming and the irreversibility of fossil fuel CO2 driven warming. The range of reduced warming from the replacement of agriculture ranges from -0.22 [-0.29 to -0.04] ºC for Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP)1-1.9 to -0.85 [-0.99 to -0.39]ºC for SSP4-6.0. For limited temperature target overshoot scenarios, replacement of agriculture could eliminate or reduce the need for active atmospheric CO2 removal to achieve the necessary peak and decline in global warming.

scholarly journals Low-Carbon Quick Wins: Integrating Short-Term Sustainable Transport Options in Climate Policy in Low-Income Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 4369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakker ◽  
Haq ◽  
Peet ◽  
Gota ◽  
Medimorec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Change Strategies ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Sustainable Transport ◽  
Gas Emissions

In low income countries (LICs) in Africa and Asia per capita transport greenhouse gas emissions are relatively low but are expected to grow. Therefore, a substantial reduction in projected increases is required to bring emissions in line with long-term global climate objectives. Literature on how LICs are integrating climate change mitigation and sustainable transport strategies is limited. Key drivers of transport policy include improving accessibility, congestion, air quality, energy security, with reducing greenhouse gas emissions being of lower priority. This paper assesses the current status, feasibility and potential of selected low-carbon transport measures with high sustainable development benefits that can be implemented in the short to medium term, so- called ‘quick wins’. It examines to what extent ten such quick wins are integrated in climate change strategies in nine low- and middle-income countries in Africa and South Asia. The research method comprises expert interviews, an online questionnaire survey of experts and policymakers in the focus countries, and a review of literature and government plans. Results indicate that sustainable urban transport policies and measures are considered high priority, with vehicle-related measures such as fuel quality and fuel economy standards and electric two- and three-wheelers being of key relevance. In existing national climate change strategies, these quick wins are integrated to a certain extent; however, with better coordination between transport and energy and environment agencies such strategies can be improved. A general conclusion of this paper is that for LICs, quick wins can connect a ‘top-down’ climate perspective with a ‘bottom-up’ transport sector perspective. A knowledge gap exists as to the mitigation potential and sustainable development benefits of these quick wins in the local context of LICs.

scholarly journals RECIPE FOR DISASTER? THE DEPLOYMENT OF PATENTS OVER ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES

1970 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Madieha Abdul Ghani Azmi ◽  
Suzi Fadhilah Ismail ◽  
Jeong Chun-Phuoc
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Technology Policy ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Patent Owner ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Environmentally Sound ◽  
Effective Transfer

The development, deployment and dissemination of low-carbon and other environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) is critical in our response to climate change. Yet, many of these critical technologies are patented and belong to private entities. Malaysia through the National Renewable Energy Policy and National Green Technology Policy, aims to leverage on green technology as a double edge sword; as a tool to spur economic activities whilst at the same time ensuring sustainable development and conservation of the environment for future generations. In order to enhance the uptake of ESTs, Malaysia has identified renewable energy as an impetus. This paper explores the discourse between the patents and climate change at the international level. As the diffusion of ESTs requires modification and adaptation, the issue of how much this can take place without the consent of the patent owner is discussed. The scope of scientific research exemption in Malaysia is examined with a view of determining whether it can support research activities with commercial activities and the act of inventing around a patent. It is proposed that for effective transfer of ESTs to take place, the scientific research provision be expanded to cover all forms of research necessary for the diffusion of technology, regardless of its commercial and transformative ends

scholarly journals Barriers and Drivers of Renewable Energy Penetration in Rural Areas

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6452
Author(s):  
Dalia Streimikiene ◽  
Tomas Baležentis ◽  
Artiom Volkov ◽  
Mangirdas Morkūnas ◽  
Agnė Žičkienė ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Energy ◽  
Change Mitigation

The paper deals with the exposition of the main barriers and drivers of renewable energy usage in rural communities. Climate change mitigation is causing governments, policymakers, and international organizations worldwide to embark on policies, leading to increased use of renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency. Climate change mitigation actions, including the Green Deal strategy in the EU, require satisfying the expanding energy demand and complying with the environmental restrictions. At the same time, the prevailing market structure and infrastructure relevant to the energy systems are undergoing a crucial transformation. Specifically, there has been a shift from centralized to more decentralized and interactive energy systems that are accompanied by a low-carbon energy transition. Smart Grid technology and other innovations in the area of renewable energy microgeneration technologies have enabled changes in terms of the roles of energy users: they can act as prosumers that are producing and consuming energy at the same time. Renewable energy generation that is allowing for deeper involvement of the citizens may render higher social acceptance, which, in turn, fuels the low-carbon energy transition. The collective energy prosumption in the form of energy cooperatives has become a widespread form of renewable energy initiatives in rural communities. Even though renewable energy consumption provides a lot of benefits and opportunities for rural communities, the fast penetration of renewables and energy prosumption encounter several important barriers in the rural areas. This paper analyses the main barriers and drivers of renewable energy initiatives in rural areas and provides policy implications for the low-carbon energy transition in rural areas.

scholarly journals Assessment of Renewable Energy Deployment Roadmaps

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 2875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Mauleón
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
International Energy Agency ◽  
Capital Requirements ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Ipcc Report

This research implements a methodology to the joint assessment of the photovoltaic and onshore wind investment roadmaps put forward by the main institutions in the field, International Renewable Energy Association (Irena) and the International Energy Agency, to achieve a low carbon emissions economy with near zero net greenhouse gases emissions. The two energies taken together account for over 80% of the renewable energy deployments envisaged by both roadmaps. The assessment is conducted according to economic criteria (the levelized cost of energy, capital requirements and financial risks), and environmental (carbon avoided, its value, and its cost). Given the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the urgency to tackle climate change, accelerated deployments of the roadmaps are assessed as well. Overall, it is found that the roadmaps are financially sound, even under an accelerated scenario. Possible limits to the deployment of renewable energies roadmaps derived from the availability of raw materials and other constraints are also discussed, showing likely constraints for lithium batteries but not for photovoltaic and wind energies.

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