By: Mehrdad Mohamadi, Ph.D. Candidate in
International Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
In the wake of global energy crises, including the
supply, price and pollution matters related to traditional sources of energy,
the use and development of renewable energy is seriously considered by the
international community. The increasing importance attached to the issue is
derived from the fact that sustainable development is almost impossible without
the use of sustainable energy sources. Moreover, the protection of the
environment is considered as “common concern of humanity”. Current trends in
energy resources in the world suggests that the use of fossil fuels, has
severely undermined the existence of such resources. On the other hand, the use
of fossil fuels without a doubt makes irreparable damages to the environment.
The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change
Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) points out that fossil fuels have accounted
for 85 percent of the world's fuel resources between 2004 to 2008. Besides, 56%
of greenhouse gas emissions have been produced as a result of burning the
fossil fuels. Having regard to the soaring trend of energy use in the world,
most of which supplied by the fossil fuels, and in keeping with a dynamic
economic system capable of providing an acceptable standard of living for the
citizens of developed and developing countries and no further damage to the
environment, it is necessary to reconsider the current sources of energy supply
and energy consumption. Notwithstanding the declining trend of non-renewable
resources of energy and the severe pollution they produce, renewable energy
seems to be a reasonable alternative to fossil fuels, since their use both
supplies the required energy for the economic development, in line with energy
security policies, and has much less (or zero) pollution and toxic emissions
and would guarantee sustainable development.
The international community, aware of this, has
made efforts to promote the use of sustainable energy. Although these efforts do
not suffice, they constitute initial small steps towards achieving an important
goal. The UN secretary general's initiative called "SE4ALL" and "a
decade of sustainable energy for all (2014 – 2024)" that seeks to increase
the level of sustainable energy to 30% by 2030 are amongst such efforts and
represent a commitment to promote the use of renewable energy sources.
Moreover, the efforts to establish international organizations, namely the
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), indicates the significance of
the issue at the international level.