Fast-tracking Renewable Energy: Pathways to Sustainable, Low-carbon Energy Utilisation

This chapter is based on the premise that the way energy is used today is not sustainable and the transition to harnessing low carbon energy sources should be coupled with efficient use as well as consuming less. While the focus here is mostly on top-down policies, their success lies heavily on the participation and adoption of consumers.

- Putting a price on carbon, setting coordinated renewable energy share targets, subsidy-switching from fossil fuel sources to renewable energy, and recognising the co-benefits of renewable energy could fast-track development of renewable energy.

- Complementary measures and policies on capacity building and training, technology transfer, research and development (R&D), and good governance should be put in place to sustain investments and projects.

- Bottom-up approaches empowering the choices of individuals, industries, and communities should be encouraged and supported to ensure the effectiveness of top-down government policies.

- Renewable energy technologies need consumers to use the product—sustainably produced electricity—and to drive innovation to be more efficiently produced and consumed. Consumers must choose to transcend from wasteful energy consumption to adopt lifestyle changes that support low-energy, cost-efficient and socially and environmentally friendly, cleaner options.