Global Trends in Renewable Energy - Term Paper Example

Renewable Energy Introduction Latham & Watkins explains: Renewable energy can be understood as that energy that is unable to be depleted when used such as wind energy or solar energy. Further, renewable energy can be defined as any source of energy that is naturally occurring and is theoretically inexhaustible and is not derived from nuclear fuel or soil such as biomass, solar, wind and the hydroelectric power. Additionally, renewable energy can also be defined as energy resource that can be naturally developed within a short period of time and directly derived from the sun i.e. Photochemical, thermal or photoelectric or indirectly derived from the same sun i.e. photosynthetic, wind and hydro power or from other environmental mechanisms and natural movements i.e. geothermal energy and tidal energy. Renewable energy laws on the other end can be understood as a part of energy law that relates primarily to issues of policy, transaction and legal about development, commercialization and implementation of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, tidal and geothermal. These laws relate to land use, financing and siting issues that take place in relation to development of the renewable energy. As such, renewable energy deals therefore with regulations and policies and legislative instruments that are instrumental to encourage the growth and development of renewable energy. This essay therefore seeks to discuss renewable energy laws focusing on the legislative framework that governs renewable energy development, commercialization and implementation. Further, the essay will give an analysis of the trends and future changes expected in this sector. Basic environmental law directly relating to renewable energy As we look at the basic environmental laws directly relating to renewable energy, a global approach would provide a good foundation in to this discussion. As it is right now, renewable energy debate is slowly becoming a part of the agenda in sustainable development talks. Therefore nations in their bid to ensure sustainable development is realized in their countries are engaging the focus on renewable energy. Let as look at the renewable energy laws in the context of regional or international agreements. In the global environmental conferences that discuss issues of environmental concerns, there have been steps made towards development of norms aimed at renewable energy. These have been with respect to defining the terms for establishments of international cooperation and setting of quantified standards to regulate renewable energy. As such there has been drafting of soft laws as well as setting of policy targets aimed at renewable energy. Energy Chatter Treaty Between the Common Wealth of Independent states and the European Commission, there has been underpinned a cooperation in the sector of energy through investment and trade liberalization measures. This lead to creation of a common legal; framework which began with the adoption of European Energy chatter which was a political declaration later augmented by the energy chatter treaty as well as its protocol on energy efficiency. As such Article 19 of Energy Chatter Treaty as an environmental law; requires states to minimize the rate of environmental degradation so as to achieve sustainable development, through among other things, improving energy efficiency, developing renewable energy, adoption and promotion of use of clean energy, as well as employing technology to reduce pollution. The protocol provides meaningful obligations that countries need to meet in relation to development of laws, regulations and policies in article 3 and strategies for energy efficiency in article 5. An energy protocol was included in this chatter by the contracting states to widen the use of renewable energy as a basic commitment and preference (Citelli, Barassi & Belikh, 3) Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process for which the effects on the environment that are anticipated to result from a proposed development activity or projects can be measured and mitigated. As such if the likely impacts of the project or activity are unacceptable, mitigation measures or design measure can be taken to avoid or reduce such effects. This is done ad documented in an environmental impact statement or environmental impact assessments report. As a formal part that takes place in the planning process, environmental impact assessment does take place in the renewable energy development planning processes. This ensure that environmental surveys of the site that renewable energy development should take place to quantify as well as evaluate the likely effects that the project has and come up with the most appropriate measure to avoid, eliminate, mitigate or reduce this potential effects. As such, the environmental impact assessment procedure will involve examination of landscape and visual effects; cultural heritage of the place; aviation and telecommunication; socioeconomic effects; hydrology; geology; ecology and ornithology among others. The environmental impact report is thus prepared after the assessment and submitted to the Authorities who then will approve or reject the renewable energy development. As such the development of the renewable energy, its commercialization and use is regulated by Environmental impact assessment. In the Alpine region, they made their commitment to domestic and trans-boundary Environmental impact assessment in the construction of their renewable energy power plants as well as their expansions. This was in contracting the energy protocol in the alpine region where they additional acknowledge lending themselves using renewable energy (Citelli, Barassi & Belikh, 31). The Kyoto Protocol and the UN Convention on Climate Change Citelli, Barassi & Belikh, (30) discusses: The UNCCC is relate to the renewable energy development of renewable energy since their contracting parties are bound by the requirements to control their anthropogenic Green House Gas emission sources as well as climate change streamlining. Kyoto protocol as an international protocol mandates implementation of policies and measures in accordance to national circumstances that are geared towards research and development of renewable energy. Article 6 of Kyoto protocol provides for the contracting states to undertake any additional efforts to complement their domestic strategies towards renewable energy. This is referred to as the flexible mechanism. Article 12 of the Kyoto protocol emphasizes the clean development mechanisms. These two international laws provide a basis for contracting states to ensure development of renewable energy in their respective countries. They are legally binding for states that are patty to it and as such actions can be taken for those who do not ratify them. Therefore, as the world moves towards renewable energy, the UN Convention for Climate Change and the Kyoto protocols guides the contracting states on ways of ensuring development, growth and commercialization of renewable energy is achieved. California Global warming Solution Act 2006 This act mandates the reduction in the state wide greenhouse gases in California to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Mazmanian, (3, 9-13) outlines: As a primary measure to emission reduction, low carbon fuel standards have been enforced by the California Air Resource Board in order to contribute to up to 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. On the transportation sector it focuses to achieve a 10% reduction in the gasoline and diesel carbon intensity by 2020. This law targets fuel producers in California as well as imports to the state. Further, the suppliers of low carbon fuel are targeted by this law. They include suppliers of electricity, bio fuels and the natural gas suppliers. This law seeks to ensure renewable energy through compliance with the following: annual targets for every year are stipulated and thus suppliers and producers of fuel should ensure compliance with the CI score stipulated every year; as such deficits and credits can be measured against an individual’s score who are then required to get a balance between the two. Through ensuring compliance with the CI scores set for every year, the state of California slowly gains towards achievements of renewable energy. This is because various options are developed that can enable compliance with the act. As such renewable energy becomes the easier option that is even cheaper to operate ( Latham & Watkins) . Global Trends in renewable energy Walsh, (3- 23) reports an increase in the investments in green energy. There has been realized a surge of up to 17% translating to about $270 billion dollars. This has been due to an increased investment in the solar and wind energy over the period of 2013 and 2014. Countries like China for instance, realized the biggest renewable energy investment in the year 2014 amounting to $83.3 billion which is 39% increment from 2013. The US comes second with $38.3 billion up to 7% increase but not as good as its previous records. Japan on the other end came third at $35.7 billion which is its biggest ever and up 10% from the 2013 record. In 2014, a key feature that is notable is rapid expansion of the renewable energy in to the developing countries’ markets. In the developing countries, investments were up to $131.3 billion which was a 36.1% increment from the previous years and was close to overhauling the total developed countries record. Biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, waste to power, and hydroelectric power gave a contribution amounting to 9.1 % of the entire world electricity in 2014 an increase of 1.4% in 2013. This would amount to saving close to 1.3 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions. The overall investment in renewable energy is realizing increase in investments. 2014 solar and wind energy accounted for 92% of the renewable energy investments. Investments in solar energy alone, increased by 29% giving a net $ 99.5 billion. Wind enegergy investments have realized an 11% increment by 2014 to $99.5b 9 (Walsh, 3). In Europe, investments in renewable energy have been on the rise as well. Although in the rate was lower than 1% the investments improved to a record $57.5b. more than $7b was invested in offshore wind energy. This served to boost the total renewable energy for the UK, Germany and Netherlands. This was the largest asset finance deal ever done outside huge hydro and was 600MW project in Dutch waters (Walsh, 5). Around the period of 2013 for instance, US was the only region that was gaining in the renewable energy investment. Japan was the biggest contributor though with an 80% increase in solar energy investment. Thus we are able to see a global shift towards investments in renewable energy. Even though over the past two years, that is 2013 and 2014, there has been a significant increase in renewable energy investments, more still need to be done. There is substantially considerable investments in none renewable energy such as oil. There is need for countries to increase investments on renewable energy. This includes substantial investments in Solar especially for countries in Africa and Asia. Further wind energy need to be invested on (Walsh, 7). The trend however shows very little on other renewable energy like geothermal and waste to power. The two have not realized significant growth with only little projects that convert waste to power existing. There is need for municipal waste to be utilized in the production of energy. In the end of it will be contributing to a green economy and an overall sustainable development. In the US Currently 30% of the municipal waste is recycled annually. However conversions to energy are still low(Walsh, 6). Future changes Some of the foundation towards the growth of renewable energy fell in place back in 2013. As such they provided the basis for the future growth of renewable energy. Investments levels are expected to be on the rise for renewable energy with wind and solar expected to take the lead. This is likely to translate in to lower costs, increased profitability by some manufacturers who embrace the renewable energy as well as the up-take of the phenomenon of unsubsidized market in most countries (Spiecker, Stephan, & Christoph 7). The future bares a lot of good for the renewable energy. With growth of investments in this sector there is likelihood of warmer attitude which will further stimulate growth of renewable energy investments. This will make it even easy for adoption and expansion since laws and policies geared towards the same will be acceptable and embraced. The investors in the public market and governments will therefore embrace renewable energy after the painful shakeout that has characterized this sector in the past. There is need for more legislative approaches towards renewable energy. More stringent measures can be seen to provide solutions like in the case of California Global warming Solution Act 2006. With the establishment of laws as well as their effective enforcement, the nonrenewable energy will experience a decline in use. This implies more and more people will shift to renewable sources. The international treaties and conventions like the Kyoto Protocol, convention on Climate Change as well as other environmental laws that provide for environmental impact assessment hold the future for green energy. Contracting countries should ratify such laws and implement them fully. Energy issues transcend boundaries. Goals that are set globally as well as targets that are measurable and specific are thus seen to provide the solution to renewable energy adoption. The international laws are the best to provide the solutions and among them are: international energy convention; this will ensure a globally binding treaty at relates to renewable energy. Thus countries bound by the treaty will make the necessary move to ensure renewable energy goals are set and achieved. Secondly, energy protocol to the UNCCC; this will garner stronger support politically that is needed for achieving the renewable energy. This is because of the enormous greenhouse gas emission reduction that renewable energy promises. Even though the UNCCC has nonbinding terms its contributions are significant towards realization of renewable energy. Others include protocol to the ECT, and the declaration to renewable energy principles which currently exists as a soft law (Spiecker, Stephan, & Christoph 29). In the future, the world will have to research intensively on alternative energy or renewable energy. The fossil fuels are slowly getting depleted and will thus lead to an energy crisis. Even though the government pressures are and mainstream awareness is growing towards renewable energy, the process is still slow. Some of the challenges towards achieving renewable energy however include: resource location which has got to do with where the renewable energy resource is available; intermittency which brings about a challenge of integration of the renewable energy; price point which has made the current available renewable energy a bit expensive than the fossil fuels that has been in use over time. These challenges have slowed down the uptake of renewable energy concept in several countries with the developing countries being the most affected. None the less, the trend is changing with increased policy formulation in the direction of renewable energy. This implies more resource allocation in the renewable energy sector. As such we can hope for a green future. Conclusion At a global level, the UN has set out its ambitions for renewable energy through the sustainable energy policy. However is this enough? Countries too need to set their goals and priorities in relation to renewable energy. There is need for compliance with the international treaties which are instrumental for providing incentives to renewable energy as well as guidelines. Globally, the UN proposes a 30% target of renewable energy by 2030. What does each country has at its target? This is the important question to interrogate since it provides the basis for taking steps towards renewable energy. This essay has therefore identified international environmental laws such as treaties and conventions among them, Kyoto protocol; UN convention on Climate Change and local environmental law for California state: California Global warming Solution Act 2006 to explain the how they relate to renewable energy. Further, the paper has discussed the current and future trends in renewable energy giving growth patterns across the world. It has also given statistical analysis of the renewable energy adoption by different countries and way forward towards achieving renewable energy. Therefore even though binding regulations are few at international level, The UN has made some steps through the UNCCC as an environmental convention to provide guidelines that contracting countries can use, the Kyoto protocol on the other end provide the clean development mechanisms. Works Cited Latham & Watkins. Low Carbon Fuel Standard Overview. 13 April 2015. 14 April 2015 . Marco Citelli, Marco Barassi, Ksenia Belikh. "Renewable Energy in the International Erena: Legal Aspects and Cooperation." Groningen Journal of International Law. Vol 2, No. 1 Energy & Environmental law (2014): 1-32. Walsh, Kevin M. "Renewable Energy: Where we are Now and How Renewable Energy Investment and Development can be Expanded." (2014). Spiecker, Stephan, and Christoph Weber. "The future of the European electricity system and the impact of fluctuating renewable energy–A scenario analysis." Energy Policy 65 (2014): 185-197. Mazmanian, Daniel. "Energy Policy and the Transition to Sustainable Development." (2014). Read More