Release of 2012 edition of the REN21 Renewables Global Status Report

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The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st  Century (REN21) Renewables Global Status Report is a collaborative effort of over 400 authors, contributors and reviewers, and is  the most frequently referenced report on renewable energy market, industry and policy trends. It provides an accurate report of the growth of electricity, heat, and fuel production capacities from renewable energy sources, including solar PV, wind power, solar hot water/heating, biofuels, hydropower, and geothermal.

 The 2012 edition of the REN21 Renewables Global Status Report  (GSR) was released on June 11, 2012. The findings in the REN21 2012 GSR speak to the steady growth in renewable energy markets, support policies and investment over the past years.

 The REN21 2012 GSR indicates that for 2011:

  • Renewable sources supplied 16.7 % of global final energy consumption. The share of most renewables increased, while the share of traditional biomass slightly declined.
  • 118 countries implemented renewable energy targets, with more than half those targets being in developing countries.
  • Investment in renewable energy increased 17% to a record $257 billion, despite a widening sovereign debt crisis in Europe and rapidly falling prices for renewable power equipment.
  • Photovoltaic module prices dropped by 50% and onshore wind turbines by close to 10% bringing to price of the leading renewable power technologies closer to grid parity with fossil fuels such as coal and gas.

These are just a few of the trends  that illustrate the significant and rapidly growing share of renewables in energy markets, industrial policy and investments, moving renewable beyond “niche” status. The 2012 GSR places a special focus on rural renewable energy by highlighting the main trends in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The REN21 Renewables Interactive Map, highlights country specific renewable energy developments

 Adjunct Professor Magdalena Muir was a reviewer and contributor to the 2012 GSR on the energy and water nexus; the use of renewable energy in arid, arctic, island and remote locations; and marine renewable energy and offshore grid infrastructure in Europe and globally. These specific renewable energy issues are rapidly evolving, and will have heightened importance in the REN21 Global Status Report for 2013.

Further information on www.ren21.net website:

http://ren21.net/REN21Activities/Publications/GlobalStatusReport/tabid/5434/Default.aspx

There are also a series of public outreach events for the REN21 GSR taking place over the next few months:

16 Jul GSR2012 Brussels Launch Event Brussels, Europe Event details
25-28 Jul Clean Energy Week Sydney/Australia Sydney, Australia Event details
29-31 Aug Brazil Windpower – Rio Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Event details
12-14 Sep Clean Energy Expo Asia Bangkok, Thailand Event details
29.Oct -2 Nov International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference Accra, Ghana Event details

 

Related posts:

  1. Renewable Energy Trends in the U.S.
  2. IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy
  3. Call for Papers: Journal of Renewable Energy Law & Policy
  4. Carbon “Fat Cats” Report
  5. New EIA Report on Energy/Carbon Dioxide Emissions
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About Magdalena A. K. Muir

Magdalena AK Muir, B.A., J.D., LL.M. is Adjunct Professor at John Hopkins University, where she teaches on offshore wind, ocean energy and offshore grid infrastructure marine in the Masters of Science- Energy Policy and Climate program. Magdalena is Associate Professor, Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, and participates in the Nordic Centre of Excellence for Strategic Adaptation Research (NCoE NORD-STAR) on adaptation to climate changes in Scandinavia and the Arctic. She is a Research Associate with Arctic Institute of North America, a bi-national research institution based at the University of Calgary, and teaches on international energy issues at this university. She is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and is a practicing barrister and solicitor with International Energy, Environment and Legal Services Ltd.. For the Arctic, Magdalena collaborates with the University of the Arctic and the Centre for the North Roundtable of the Conference Board of Canada, and is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. . Since 2004, Magdalena is Advisory Board Member, Climate with the Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC), leading their engagement on sustainable energy development in Europe, including offshore wind and ocean energy and grid infrastucture. She is active on European climate adaptation and mitigation policy, and in the QualityCoast global programme for sustainable tourism destination criteria. Further information on these EUCC activities are found on the EUCC webpage entitled: Articles and Presentations on Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change for Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Energy and Water (http://www.eucc.net/en/climate_change/index.htm). Dr. Muir has the following research projects, which are implemented in cooperation with the AINA, John Hopkins University, Duke University, Aarhus University and the NCoE NORD-STAR. - Adaptation Governance for Global and Climate Change in the Circumpolar Arctic - Arctic Resource Development and Climate Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation - Beaufort Sea Project for Climate Change: Impact and Adaptation to Climate Change for Fish and Marine Mammals in the Canadian Beaufort Sea - Changing Oceans in a Changing World - The Circum-Arctic Health Project : Northern & Remote Community Health & Resilience Considering Economic & Environmental Changes - Parallels for Arctic and Antarctica Governance and Resource Management - Sustainable Energy Development - Sustainable Tourism See http://www.arctic.ucalgary.ca/research for further information on these projects

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