The policy landscape

Most climate change policies do not focus explicitly on renewables. But, these policies play a crucial role in the increased interest and uptake of renewable energy technologies across all end-use sectors. 2021 was a landmark year where numerous countries, states, and provinces pledged for stricter climate change policies, whether it is by setting targets to net zero, banning or phasing out use of fossil fuels, or increasing the cost of fossil-based energy through carbon pricing. By the end of 2021, 166 countries had in place renewable energy targets, either country-wide or specific to economic sectors. Although targets on their own are insignificant to stimulate investment, it remains a dominant catalyst for policies to be transformed to collective societal actions.