Government energy legislation: Cutting emissions and increasing renewables

Fossil fuels such as coal, gas, & oil are cheap, combustible, & allow a country to grow its economy quickly. This is why, despite many countries enacting legislation limiting carbon emissions & increasing renewable energy sources, greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow. This case study looks at attempts by governments around the world to reduce emissions in an attempt to curb climate change.

Scope

This case study examines why fossil fuels are popular, and looks at the benefits of renewable forms of energy, such as wind and solar.

Carbon pricing is defined, and its benefits are examined.

Finally, this case study looks at different legislation enacted in different countries, and how successful they have been.

Reasons to buy

Why do fossil fuel emissions continue to rise despite various countries' legislation to limit them?

What is carbon pricing?

What have different countries done to limit the use of fossil fuels and promote the use of renewable forms of energy?

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Table of Contents

OVERVIEW

Catalyst

Summary

FOSSIL FUELS AND RENEWABLES

Fossil fuels are cheap and have boosted economies, but they are unsustainable

Fossil fuels are cheap and stable, but emit greenhouse gases

There are more fossil fuel reserves than we can safely burn

Renewables, such as wind and solar, are naturally regenerative

Renewables regenerate over a short time scale

Solar power is growing fast and the price is dropping substantially

Wind energy, particularly offshore farms, continues to grow

CARBON PRICING GIVES FOSSIL FUELS A HIGHER PRICE TAG, WHICH SHOULD REDUCE USE

Carbon pricing

Carbon trading may be about to witness a surge around the world

VARIOUS COUNTRIES HAVE ENACTED ENERGY LEGISLATION TO INCREASE RENEWABLES

There have been some global attempts at policy-making

Denmark and Germany are renewables leaders

Denmark's ambitious policy has created some problems

Germany's energiewende has advanced quickly, but with similar problems to Denmark

Progress in the US has varied state to state

There has been a national attempt to cut carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants

Utah has been reluctant to cut down on fossil fuels

California has boosted its renewable energy production since 1998

China is beginning to cut down on emissions

China's role as 'biggest emitter' raises questions about how to assign responsibility for emissions

Growth in China's emissions have decelerated over the last ten years

US and China have committed to capping emissions

CONCLUSIONS

Fossil fuel use has risen despite many countries adopting emission-cutting legislation

APPENDIX

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