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GLOBAL RENEWABLES ONLINE - DECEMBER 2011
Countries like Brazil are in the lead
position for biofuel development. Emerg-
ing economies are very clearly creating
competition in renewables.
For instance in geothermal energy,
Indonesia and Mexico are leaders. The
theme is that more countries all around
the world are taking up renewables as a
viable alternative to traditional energy
sources. REN21 continues to bring
together academia and industries to dis-
cuss and move the renewable energy
agenda forward on the global level. REN21
is engaging governments and industry to
get policies in place for renewables.
GRO: How are industry players
involved?
CL: There are many different ways
REN21 is engaging the corporate
community. Those global players that
provide equipment and technologies are
very much integrated into the debate on
renewables,
and
so
are
global
corporations that are energy consumers
and producers.
We continually see more companies
using better energy producing methods
in their own areas, and focusing on
efficiency and renewables. These are the
preferred options for people, but also can
be the cheapest in some cases. Most
countries are considering energy subsi-
dies. Lower income countries tend to
focus on tax credits.
I think the most important thing is that
countries need to have a political frame-
work that is stable before they can look at
a substantial focus on renewables.
Investors need to be able to calculate risk.
Corporations need to know the political
framework in a country and be able to
evaluate potential outcomes—it has to be
a level playing field.
GRO: What are the major themes
that the report aims to illustrate?
CL: There are 3.5 million people
employed in renewables around the
world.
Despite
economic
turmoil,
renewable energy has experienced no
downturn but instead continues to grow
in all sectors. REN21 continues to promote
renewables
and
bring
together
governments and industry to discuss
renewable policy—all for the sake of
renewable development.
ABOUT THE GLOBAL STATUS
REPORT:
Over the years, the GSR has expanded
in scope and depth, in parallel with
tremendous advances in renewable
energy markets and industries. The report
has become a major production that
involves the amalgamation of thousands
of data points, hundreds of reports and
other
documents,
and
personal
communications with experts from
around the world.
It also offers GSR researchers and
readers the possibility to contribute on an
ongoing basis while connecting with the
broader renewable energy community.
The Renewables Interactive Map can be
found at
This growth reflects the sector
growing substantially. There is a
significant increase in renewable energy
targets or policies in place around the
world—now, there are 180 globally—and
more than half of those policies have been
implemented in developing countries.
Originally, renewable development was
only happening in the developing world,
and now we see development in emerging
economies.
GRO: What are some of the
highlights in this year’s report?
CL: For the first time, in the 2011
report, we are seeing that investment in
renewable energy in developing countries
has surpassed that in the developed
world. The sister publication to our report,
the UNEP Global Trends in Renewable
Energy Investment 2011 shows a
comprehensive picture of investment, and
it is clear that China is the key player in
renewable energy development, followed
by the U.S. and then India. In 2004 China
hardly played any role, whereas now the
country is ahead of many others.
GRO: What role do governments
play in this steady development in
emerging nations?
CL: The report illustrates how a stable
political framework can bring about
developments in emerging nations.
REN21: ON EMERGING ECONOMIES - COVER STORY
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