Green energy milestone: A Turning Point for Sustainability

The global transition towards green energy has gained momentum, presenting a crucial juncture for humanity’s pursuit of Sustainable development. Renewable resources are no longer just an environmental necessity; they serve as an important pivot in addressing the climate changes and unexpected sustainability environmental changes. These changes can be good but most of the time they are endangering life on Earth. For instance – the melting of ice caps on the poles result in increasing the sea levels which in turn decreases the land available for living. This is just one of the many occurring. 

Climate change and green revolution is not going to benefit only one country but the entire world. According to OXFAM international, the number of climate-related disasters has tripled over the last 3 decades. It is also noted that the sea level has dangerously risen between 2006 – 2016 is 2.5 times faster for almost all of the 20^th century. These drastic changes in the environment often lead to dangerous events that can cause extreme damage to human beings. 

The Australian wildfire that happened during the start of 2020 was also caused due to the increased climate temperature. The fires have burned through more than 10 million hectares, killed at least 28 people, razed entire communities to the ground, taken the homes of thousands of families, and left millions of people affected by a hazardous smoke haze. More than a billion native animals have been killed, and some species and ecosystems may never recover.

Thus to reduce such great damages to human life and livelihood, it is important to switch to a sustainable path to avoid these happenings. The use of renewable energy is the easy method to adopt sustainable development. According to the Climate Council, Countries such as Sweden, Costa Rica, United Kingdom, Iceland, Germany, Uruguay, Kenya, China and New Zealand are already using renewable electricity. Renewable sources are bound to cause less damage and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released when used. 

Policy and frameworks play a vital role in accelerating this transition. At international level, the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, seeks to limit 2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with ambitious efforts to cap the temperature rise at 1.5 degree Celsius. The agreement works on a five year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action – or, ratcheting up – carried out by countries. Since 2020, countries have been submitting their national climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Each successive NDC is meant to reflect an increasingly higher degree of ambition compared to the previous version.

Nations are increasingly aligning their policies to expand renewable energy capacities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly the initiative by the United Nation Organisation (UNO) by implementing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 that aims to ensure universal access to affordable and reliable sustainable energy, This is also on the journey to achieve the goal by 2030. According to the United Nations, SDG number 7 has set out to ensure universal access to clean energy, double the rate of global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. Progress under this framework is evident, with renewables comprising 29 per cent of global energy consumption in 2022, a substantial increase driven by coordinated efforts.

As a developing country, India has emerged as a significant player in the global renewable energy landscape through pioneering efforts and initiatives. The National Solar Mission, launched in 2010, has propelled the country to the forefront of solar energy markets, with an installed capacity exceeding 70 GW as of 2023. Complementing this is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, announced in 2023, with an investment of ₹19,744 crore ($2.4 billion). This mission aims to produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while fostering innovation in sustainable technologies.

Despite these advances, substantial challenges still remain. According to NOAA’s 2023 Annual Climate Report, the combined land and ocean temperature has increased at an average rate of 0.11° Fahrenheit (0.06° Celsius) per decade since 1850, or about 2° F in total. The rate of warming since 1982 is more than three times as fast: 0.36° F (0.20° C) per decade. This means that the temperature is still on the drastic increase which can only worsen the situation than what it already is. 

The volatile change in temperature which is also known as the climate change can disrupt the ecological and environmental balance. This volatile change causes irregular seasonal pattern leading to failing crops, prolonged droughts, unseasonal rain – it can either be the bare minimum or surplus rain causing floods, forest fires, etc. Fossil fuel combustion is the main reason for emission of greenhouse gasses. The greenhouse gases such carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons are the reason for climate change and pollution. These gases are capable of trapping heat in the atmosphere which causes the Earth’s surface to heat up.

This causes a chain reaction and the fossil fuels burned releases harmful greenhouse gasses. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere of the planet leading to the surface to warm up enormously. The warming of the surface is not only on land but on ice poles. The heat emitted is enough to melt more ice caps from both the north and south poles. This increases the water level of the seas causing for liveable land to submerge under water.

The finance also hinders the transition to green energy. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that $4 trillion in annual investments will be needed by 2030 to achieve global net-zero targets, a benchmark that is yet to be met. Moreover, the intermittency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind necessitates significant advancements in storage technologies to ensure a stable energy supply. Technical barriers, including limited energy storage capacities and out-dated transmission grids, pose additional hurdles to achieve this goal.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewables are expected to account for nearly 90% of global electricity expansion by 2025. This surge reflects the public awareness and support for reducing carbon footprints and adopting sustainable energy solutions. Globally, nations are adopting diverse strategies to harness the potential of renewable energy. Countries like Norway and Iceland are switching to hydro, solar and geothermal power for electricity which is 100 per cent renewable and doesn’t affect the environment. The transition to Green Energy is not just a mere economic or technological shift. It is a transformation in societal norms and aspiration. By reducing dependence on fossil fuels, nations are enhancing their energy security while fostering cleaner air and healthier environments. 

The milestones achieved in renewable energy underscore a decisive moment in the global pursuit of sustainability. They symbolize more than progress; they represent a collective commitment to reimagining the future. By addressing persistent challenges and fostering global collaboration, the renewable energy revolution has the potential to redefine economic models, enhance societal well-being, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.