The Energy-Environment Nexus
The global energy sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 75% of global emissions making it the biggest contributor to most of the environmental challenges we face today. The energy sector can be directly or indirectly linked to several of our problems with environmental degradation. From air and water pollution to climate change and ecosystem degradation, the environmental footprint of conventional energy systems is substantial and far-reaching. Furthermore, energy extraction methods like mining and drilling cause land degradation, water contamination, and habitat destruction, aggravating the environmental impact of our energy systems. Therefore, energy production and critical environmental issues are closely interrelated.
GreenHouse Gas Emissions by sectors | Climate Watch
Specifically, fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas—which currently provide approximately 80% of global energy, are considered as primarily responsible for our current environmental crises. The dominant use of fossil fuels as a source of energy is a substantial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The combustion of these fuels releases not only carbon dioxide but also methane, nitrous oxides, and sulfur dioxide. The more GHGs we release into the atmosphere, the more the Earth's climate warms. This leads to a range of climate change impacts, including rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and changes in ecosystems.
Decarbonisation: A Path Forward
To address the environmental challenges caused by the energy sector, it’s essential to decarbonise the energy sector by introducing alternative energy sources. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) identifies decarbonization of the energy sector as the single most important tool for climate stabilization (IPCC, 2023). Decarbonisation aims to significantly reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the atmosphere. Decarbonisation of the energy sector involves systematically reducing carbon emissions across all areas of the energy economy – from how we generate power to how we store, transport and use it. It’s about moving away from fossil fuels and reshaping our systems around low carbon energy sources and more sustainable alternatives.
Available Technologies
Renewable energy resources have the ability to decarbonise 90% of the energy sector. This transition requires a fundamental transformation of our energy systems. Renewable energy helps lower greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels.These renewable energy sources include solar, wind, etc. offering sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA )renewable energy's share in the electricity sector is expected to grow from 30% in 2023 to 46% by 2030 driven largely by solar and wind power .
Global Installed Renewable Energy Capacity by Technology, Data Source : IRENA (2024)
Solar power: Solar power harnesses energy from the sun and converts it into thermal or electrical energy. It is one of the most widely adopted renewable energy sources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, commonly installed on rooftops or in large solar farms, generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. This technology helps reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based power plants and lowers carbon emissions significantly.
Wind power: Wind power involves capturing kinetic energy from the wind using turbines to produce electricity. It is a clean, renewable, and increasingly cost-effective source of energy. Onshore and offshore wind farms contribute to grid-scale electricity generation, helping to replace fossil fuel-based energy with zero-emission alternatives.
Solar Energy: The Abundant Alternative
Among the renewable energy sources, solar energy is the one in most abundance. Solar energy plays a crucial role in decarbonisation by offering a clean, renewable source of power which can be harnessed even in cloudy weather. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) solar energy will account for 80% of the renewable energy growth from 2024 to 2030. By the end of this decade, solar PV is set to become the largest renewable source, surpassing hydropower, which is currently the largest renewable generation source. Solar energy can replace traditional power generation therefore remarkably lessening our reliance on extreme carbon emitting sources like fossil fuels.
The cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules has decreased by approximately 90% since 2010, making solar increasingly competitive with conventional energy sources. The scalability of solar energy is also a crucial player making it an ideal option. Solar systems can be scaled up to meet rising energy demands. Solar systems can be deployed at various scales from small rooftop installations powering individual homes to massive solar farms generating electricity for thousands. This flexibility makes it a promising renewable energy source to meet rising energy demands.
Globally, many countries have taken significant steps towards decarbonization by investing in solar energy infrastructure, promoting renewable energy policies, and encouraging the adoption of solar technologies. China is the world's leading country in solar energy, both in terms of production and manufacturing of PV components with a significant portion of its electricity generation coming from solar power. As of 2024, China has an installed solar power capacity of over 880 gigawatts. China has emerged as a leader in solar PV manufacturing, with investments of over $50 billion since 2011. The country now dominates the production of solar panels, accounting for over 80% of global manufacturing capacity.
China has been instrumental in lowering solar PV costs and accelerated clean energy transitions. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the US ranks second globally in solar energy capacity, behind China, with more than 177 GW of installed capacity as of June 2024, marking a substantial growth in solar power production. India ranks third globally in solar power generation, behind China and the US, with over 97 GW. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), an initiative launched by India and France that now includes over 100 countries primarily located in the tropics, has established the goal of mobilizing $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
Wind Energy
Wind Energy plays a crucial role in decarbonisation strategy and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. As a renewable resource that generates electricity without carbon emissions, wind power serves as a benchmark technology for transitioning away from fossil fuels toward a sustainable energy future. The abundant availability of wind resources and the clean nature of wind-generated electricity makes it an important resource for building a low-carbon energy system.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2030, wind energy is expected to become the world's second largest renewable energy source behind solar PV. Wind electricity generation increased by 216 TWh (10% growth) to over 2,330 TWh in 2023, marking the second-largest increase among renewables, just behind solar PV.
Countries worldwide are advancing wind energy adoption through investments in wind infrastructure, supportive policies etc.
China is the leading country in wind energy capacity, holding the largest installed wind turbine capacity worldwide, with nearly 521 Gigawatts as of 2024, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA. This capacity includes both onshore and offshore wind energy. The country's 14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy, launched in 2022, sets aggressive targets that are expected to boost further growth.
The US ranked second globally in installed wind energy capacity, with approximately 153 megawatts as of 2024 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA.The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US included substantial funding support for wind power development.
Germany is the largest wind energy market in Europe. Germany ranks as the third-largest producer of wind power globally, after China and the United States. As of 2024, Germany's total installed wind energy capacity was 73 GW according to the IRENA with a majority of that capacity being onshore.
India is the fourth-largest global player in wind energy, holding the fourth-highest installed wind power capacity globally. India's total installed wind capacity currently stands at 50.04 GW as reported by PIB.
The European Union has accelerated wind deployment in response to the energy crisis, with 15 GW added in 2023.
International organizations and initiatives like the International Energy Agency (IEA) promote wind power growth globally, through information platforms such as the IEA Wind Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Programme, which provides information for participating governments and industry leaders and facilitates cooperation on R&D, cost reduction, grid integration, and social acceptance of wind energy.
Achieving environmental sustainability requires transforming our energy systems by shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives. One pathway to a sustainable future is through decarbonising the energy sector through renewable sources like solar, and wind power. By making this transition, one can reduce emissions, combat climate change, and ensure a healthier planet. The renewable energy decisions we make today become the foundation for a sustainable, future world.
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