Abstract
Abundant energy is pivotal to the development and economic growth of any country. Since the first industrial revolution, the global energy sector has consistently evolved, and various sources have been explored and exploited worldwide to achieve global energy security. However, with the exponential growth in global energy demand, the energy demand–supply gap has widened at an unprecedented rate. The energy sector and the environment are directly interrelated, and one is greatly affected by a slight change in the other. The human race is also witnessing repercussions from overexploiting limited fossil fuel reserves in various forms: pollution, global warming/climate change, biodiversity loss, socioeconomic issues, etc. Therefore, now is the right and high time to transform the fossil fuel-based energy sector into one based on renewable resources (solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, biomass, etc.). To achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, the international community should collectively and continuously attempt to increase the share of renewable resources in global energy production. The present chapter gives a comprehensive account of the past, present, and future of renewable energy and its role in sustainable development. The chapter also discusses new threats, issues, and challenges to the energy sector and the role of renewable energy sources in dealing with them.
Published Version
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