How effective are renewable energy sources (RES) in decreasing global emissions?
Renewable energy, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, have the potential to significantly decrease global emissions by reducing the need for fossil fuels, which are the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy sources accounted for about 11.5% of global electricity generation in 2019, and this share is expected to increase in the coming years. Renewable energy sources are considered as clean energy sources, meaning they do not produce emissions during their operation.
Solar and wind power in particular have seen rapid growth in recent years, with the cost of solar and wind power continuing to decline. This makes it more economically viable for countries to adopt RES, which will increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
However, renewable energy sources alone may not be enough to decrease global emissions to the levels needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Other measures such as energy efficiency, carbon pricing, and the development of technologies to capture and store carbon emissions will also be needed. Additionally, the energy storage technologies also need to improve to make the use of renewable energy more efficient, reliable and cost-effective.
In summary,
renewable energy can play a significant role in decreasing global emissions by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. The increasing adoption of renewable energy sources and the decrease in their costs make them more economically viable and make them an important part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
