The Energy and Environment Relationship

Abstract

An expanding body of research shows that there is a strong relationship between climate change and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. CO2 emission pollutants are primarily produced by combustion of fossil fuels. Therefore, energy consumption is considered as the main cause of climate change. In this chapter, we focus on the current situation of renewable energy consumption and the global outlook. We also review the roles of economic growth, energy security, and CO2 emission reduction as the main drivers in the development of renewable energy. The global energy-related CO2 emissions have risen. Developing non-OECD countries that continue to be heavily dependent on fossil fuel consumption account for much of this growth. These countries need to meet their continuously rising energy demand. Reducing CO2 emission and local pollutants constitutes a core part of environmental concerns. More countries are expected to implement policies for deploying renewable energy technologies in the power sector. Among other objectives these policies need to achieve is an increase in power generation through renewable energy sources so that the unit cost decreases to the level of other energy sources.