The environmental footprint of renewable energy transition with increasing energy demand: eco-cost

Abstract

This study aims to assess the environmental footprint of the increasing share of renewable energy and global energy demand. The considered footprints, including GHG emission, NOx emission, SO2 emission and water consumption, are expressed in eco-cost. The assessment indicated that the eco-cost of global energy consumption increased, comparing 2009 (1.66 x 1012 EUR) and 2019 (2.06 x 1012 EUR). This suggests the increasing energy demand (+ 33 %) dominates the positive effect of the renewable energy transition. A significant reduction (≥ ~38 % - 52 %) on the dependency of nonrenewable energy is required to offset the effect of increasing global demand in 2050 without a substantial increase in eco-cost than 2009 and 2019. However, when referring to the European Union case, it was decreased where 2.05 x 1011 EUR in 2009 and 1.65 x 1011 EUR in 2019. It is progressing towards environmental footprint mitigation, provided by the marginal increase in energy demand (+ 0.4 %) and an increase in renewable energy share. The analysis could serve as a guideline for appropriate policy implications towards a sustainable energy system.