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Renewable energy must play a major role in climate change solutions

Monday 13th February 2006

A new report by the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) says that renewable energy must play a key role in the global energy supply to meet the environmental and economic threats of climate change.

REN21, a global policy network created in response to a commitment of the International Conference for Renewable Energies, published its Changing Climates, the Role of Renewable Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World on 8th February. The report cites an "emerging consensus" in both the scientific and political communities that a global warming limit of 2oC above pre-industrial levels can avoid the most serious climate change threats. However, as the report points out, this level can only be reached with long-term emission reductions from many different options, including renewable energy markets, energy efficiency and cleaner fossil fuels.

John Christensen from the UNEP Risoe Centre on Climate, Energy and Sustainable Development, says that many renewable energy technologies have "moved from being a passion for the dedicated few to a major economic sector attracting large industrial companies and financial institutions", adding that "Although there are many good political, economic and social reasons for stimulating a more rapid development of renewable energy – not the least of which is climate change - the sector is hampered by a number of market distortions and institutional, financial, and economic barriers".

Changing Climates follows the release of the REN21 Global Status Report which found that US$30 billion was invested in the renewable energy sector in 2004, which contributes 160 GW, or approximately 4% of global power capacity. Changing Climates says that economic policy instruments can quickly improve the cost-competitiveness of renewable energy systems. The report uses a range of different "scenario" analysis from the International Energy Agency and other institutions to show how national and regional strategies can help to grow the renewable energy sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Global Status Report and Changing Climates can be found at www.ren21.net.