ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to explore the links between global climate change and renewable energy. To do this, the chapter is divided into six sections. After this brief introduction, the extent to which renewable energy could conceivably address the challenge of global climate change is explored in the second section. (This also provides the reader with a brief introduction to the challenge of global climate change). Third, the degree to which renewable energy has been offered as a ‘solution’ during international negotiations on global climate change is explored. Fourth, given that much of the focus regarding climate change is now upon the implementation of global agreements, the extent to which renewable energy is playing a role in national discussions is then examined. To give further substance to this investigation, three case studies are presented – namely, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Potential reasons for the differences that have emerged between European countries and the US – regarding climate change responses, generally, at the national level – are also studied. In the fifth section, ongoing and future issues regarding the links between global climate change and renewable energy are identified. Finally, a summary is offered and the main conclusions are presented in the sixth section.
