About this Research Topic
Globally, there are already considerable negative effects from climate change, which will worsen unless swift and comprehensive steps are taken to transition to a zero-emission future. During the global coronavirus pandemic of 2020, renewable energy generation expanded significantly while fossil fuel capacity decreased, especially in countries already at the forefront of the low-carbon energy transition. This was true even while energy demand was declining. Laggards in the energy transition, especially Emerging Markets and Developing Economies, face increasing obstacles to deploying renewable energy and risk relying on high-carbon energy sources. Moreover, even under pressure from destabilizing global health and economic crises, countries have kept investing in fossil fuels. Strategies for the transition to a zero-emission economy will influence how businesses and societies evolve worldwide and will necessitate significant financial and energy investments. To achieve the climate change mitigation objectives set in the Paris Agreement, a change in the direction and size of investments directed to a 100% renewable energy system is necessary, as the energy sector generates approximately two-thirds of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.
To enable an effective transition, the policy mix could include fiscal tools, targets and standards, public-private co-funding plans, monetary policy, financial regulation, and disclosure procedures. Nevertheless, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach, as policy designs should match diverse economic, political, and administrative contexts.
This Research Topic is open to contributions investigating the challenges and potential for the transition to renewable energy and the intricate connections between the climate and environmental crises, the geopolitical energy crisis, and the energy transition in a post-covid world.
Examining these relationships and processes will further discussions about the energy transition and propose green (climate-aligned) policy changes. Contributions focusing both on developing and developed countries are welcome.
This Research Topic expects to cover a broad range of topics, including innovative concepts and studies to answer the following questions (but are not limited to):
• What are the current practices and financing mechanisms that make energy transition desirable?
• What obstacles prevent the growth of the energy transition in various economic sectors?
• What is the role of behavioral changes in accelerating energy transition uptake?
• What innovative strategies do developing countries use to promote energy transition?
• What energy transition policies do national and/or local governments adopt, and what impact have those policies had?
• What policy framework can promote the development of energy efficiency in developed and developing countries?
To enable an effective transition, the policy mix could include fiscal tools, targets and standards, public-private co-funding plans, monetary policy, financial regulation, and disclosure procedures. Nevertheless, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach, as policy designs should match diverse economic, political, and administrative contexts.
This Research Topic is open to contributions investigating the challenges and potential for the transition to renewable energy and the intricate connections between the climate and environmental crises, the geopolitical energy crisis, and the energy transition in a post-covid world.
Examining these relationships and processes will further discussions about the energy transition and propose green (climate-aligned) policy changes. Contributions focusing both on developing and developed countries are welcome.
This Research Topic expects to cover a broad range of topics, including innovative concepts and studies to answer the following questions (but are not limited to):
• What are the current practices and financing mechanisms that make energy transition desirable?
• What obstacles prevent the growth of the energy transition in various economic sectors?
• What is the role of behavioral changes in accelerating energy transition uptake?
• What innovative strategies do developing countries use to promote energy transition?
• What energy transition policies do national and/or local governments adopt, and what impact have those policies had?
• What policy framework can promote the development of energy efficiency in developed and developing countries?
Keywords: energy transition, climate change, climate-related financial risks, climate policy, geopolitical crisis
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
