European Research Center for Social Development

Tag: Renewable Energy

  • The role of renewable energy and natural resources for sustainable agriculture in ASEAN countries: Do carbon emissions and deforestation affect agriculture productivity?

    The role of renewable energy and natural resources for sustainable agriculture in ASEAN countries: Do carbon emissions and deforestation affect agriculture productivity?

    The shift toward the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 put a global spotlight on how we manage our planet, yet the authors explain that in Southeast Asia, environmental damage is already taking a measurable toll on the region’s ability to produce food.

    This study examines how agricultural productivity—a vital part of reaching those global goals—is impacted by factors like carbon emissions, deforestation, and the use of renewable energy across the ten ASEAN countries. By analyzing regional data, the researchers found that environmental degradation, specifically through CO2emissions, directly reduces agricultural productivity in the area.

    Interestingly, the authors point out that both forest area and natural resource variables also show a negative effect on the sector’s productivity in this specific context, while the shift toward renewable energy sources provides a clear positive contribution.

    Even though these countries are some of the most integrated in the world, the study reveals that regional cooperation has not yet managed to boost agricultural output. The researchers also confirmed a strong two-way relationship between the use of renewable energy and farming success.

    Ultimately, the authors provide specific policy recommendations for governments in the region to help them improve their environmental performance and meet their 2030 sustainability targets.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102578

    Reference:

    Chopra, R., Magazzino, C., Shah, M. I., Sharma, G. D., Rao, A., & Shahzad, U. (2022). The role of renewable energy and natural resources for sustainable agriculture in ASEAN countries: Do carbon emissions and deforestation affect agriculture productivity? Resources Policy, 76, 102578.

  • Catalysts for Sustainable Energy Transitions: The Interplay Between Financial Development, Green Technological Innovations, and Environmental Taxes in European Nations

    Catalysts for Sustainable Energy Transitions: The Interplay Between Financial Development, Green Technological Innovations, and Environmental Taxes in European Nations

    Policy without data is just guesswork.

    This research provides a data-driven look at how European nations can accelerate their shift away from fossil fuels by managing a “Golden Triangle” of drivers: Financial Development, Green Innovation, and Strategic Growth.

    Using advanced FMOLS and DOLS modeling, the authors demonstrate that while innovation and funding are essential “boosters,” the role of environmental taxes is more complex—they must be carefully balanced so they don’t stifle the very economic growth required to fund a net-zero future.

    Learn more about this paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-023-04081-4

    Reference

    Fatima, N., Usman, M., Khan, N. et al. Catalysts for sustainable energy transitions: the interplay between financial development, green technological innovations, and environmental taxes in European nations. Environ Dev Sustain 26, 13069–13096 (2024)

  • Greenfield Investment as a Catalyst of Green Economic Growth

    Greenfield Investment as a Catalyst of Green Economic Growth

    If we want to stop depleting our planet’s resources while still growing our economies, we need to rethink where our money goes. This research investigates the power of “Greenfield” investments—building new, sustainable infrastructure from the floor up—as the ultimate catalyst for green growth.

    By analyzing EU data over 15 years, the study proves that when we invest in new renewable energy technologies, we don’t just reduce emissions; we improve the overall productivity of the nation.

    However, the findings come with a caveat: money alone isn’t enough. The effectiveness of these investments depends heavily on the “Efficiency of Public Governance.” In regions where the legal and political systems are transparent and open, green investments flourish.

    For the EU to achieve true “spatial harmony” in its climate goals, it must bridge the technological gap between its member states, ensuring that every Euro invested in green infrastructure is backed by a stable and efficient government framework.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052372

    Reference

    Kwilinski, A., Lyulyov, O., & Pimonenko, T. (2023). Greenfield Investment as a Catalyst of Green Economic Growth. Energies, 16(5), 2372

  • A Review on Integration of Renewable Energy Processes in Vapor Absorption Chiller for Sustainable Cooling

    A Review on Integration of Renewable Energy Processes in Vapor Absorption Chiller for Sustainable Cooling

    Traditional cooling systems are notorious energy consumers, but as cities grapple with rising temperatures, the shift toward Vapor Absorption Chillers (VAC) is proving to be a game-changer for large-scale sustainable cooling. Unlike standard air conditioners that rely on electricity-hungry compressors, VACs use heat to drive the cooling process—making them the perfect partner for renewable energy.

    This research explores how integrating VACs with sources like solar, geothermal, and biomass can revolutionize the cooling landscapes of both Europe and India.

    The study takes a deep dive into the technical and economic frameworks of these systems, comparing how they perform across different climates and scales.

    By analyzing the integration of VACs with six renewable sources—geothermal, biomass, waste heat, surface water, and solar (both thermal and PV)—the researchers sought to identify the most cost-effective and low-emission pathways.

    Their findings reveal that local heat availability is the primary driver of success; in hot and humid regions, small-scale bio-energy or solar thermal systems can create efficient “circular economies,” while centralized systems often struggle with the high costs and energy losses of transporting thermal energy over long distances.

    One of the most exciting takeaways is the environmental edge: because VACs don’t use HCF refrigerants, they avoid the potent greenhouse gases associated with traditional compression chillers. The research highlights that bio-energy-based VACs, in particular, offer a rare carbon-negative opportunity if the bio-char produced during the process is captured and sequestered.

    Ultimately, the paper concludes that while solar thermal is the most versatile solution for both urban and rural needs, the future of clean cooling lies in decentralized, renewable-driven VAC systems that turn waste heat and local resources into a comfortable, sustainable climate.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2021.101822

    Reference

    Hara Chakravarty, K., Sadi, M., Chakravarty, H., Sulaiman Alsagri, A., James Howard, T., & Arabkoohsar, A. (2022). A review on integration of renewable energy processes in vapor absorption chiller for sustainable cooling. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 50