RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITIONS TOWARD NET-ZERO EMISSIONS
Abstract
Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century is essential to limit global warming and avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. Renewable energy transitions represent a central pathway toward decarbonizing power systems, transportation, industry, and buildings. This study evaluates the technological, economic, and policy dimensions of renewable energy deployment, focusing on solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy, and green hydrogen systems. Using energy system modeling, emissions scenario analysis, and policy assessment frameworks, the research quantifies decarbonization potential under different transition pathways. Results indicate that accelerating renewable capacity expansion, electrification of end-use sectors, grid modernization, and storage integration can reduce energy-related CO2 emissions by over 80% by 2050. However, achieving net-zero requires complementary measures including carbon capture, energy efficiency improvements, and behavioral shifts The study highlights investment requirements infrastructure challenges
Introduction
Global climate change, driven primarily by fossil fuel combustion, remains one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Energy production and consumption account for approximately 73% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making the energy sector central to mitigation efforts. The Paris Agreement established a global objective to limit temperature rise to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, relative to pre-industrial levels. Achieving this goal requires reaching net-zero emissions around mid-century.
Renewable energy technologies-including solar photovoltaic (PV), wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and sustainable bioenergy-have experienced rapid cost reductions and deployment growth over the past decade. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar PV and onshore wind has declined by more than 80% since 2010, making renewables increasingly competitive with fossil fuels.