Renewable Energy Learning Path

Definition and scope of renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy harnessed from natural processes that are replenished faster than they are consumed. It is commonly defined by the International Energy Agency as energy derived from natural processes that renew themselves on a timescale quicker than human use. Widely recognized renewable sources include solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and biomass. In terms of scope, renewable energy can be used across multiple end-uses, notably for electricity generation, hot water and space heating, transportation, and rural/off-grid energy services. Renewable energy is often discussed as a way to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and other forms of pollution compared with fossil fuels, but it is not identical to “low-carbon” or “sustainable” energy: some renewables can still be carbon-intensive (for example, certain biomass pathways), and sustainability depends on broader long-term environmental impacts beyond carbon alone.

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Role in addressing climate change

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