Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current Landscape
Energy is often described as the lifeblood of a nation’s economy, and the world energy trilemma calls for collaboration and innovative solutions at the national level. This is where Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a crucial role, helping integrate the achievement of the United Nati...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Dzintra Atstāja |
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| description | Energy is often described as the lifeblood of a nation’s economy, and the world energy trilemma calls for collaboration and innovative solutions at the national level. This is where Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a crucial role, helping integrate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing the challenges posed by the energy trilemma. Europe’s strong commitment to transitioning to sustainable energy is evident in its response to geopolitical changes and climate targets. Notably, the Baltic States have taken decisive action in response to the war in Ukraine, choosing to completely halt electricity imports from Russia and Belarus. This shift was supported by increased energy imports via interconnectors from Finland, Sweden, and Poland, with electricity imports rising to 13,053 GWh—an increase of 2.6% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Latvia, which holds the highest green energy potential in the Baltic Sea region, has nevertheless lagged behind its Baltic counterparts in terms of implementation. In 2021, Latvia ranked third among European Union (EU) countries for renewable energy share in final energy consumption, with 42.1%, significantly higher than the EU average of 21.8%. However, further progress is needed to meet Latvia’s 2030 target of 14% renewable energy use in transport. The Baltic States aim to produce 98–100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2050. The Baltic States should be regarded as a unified energy system, with a coordinated strategy for achieving sustainable energy development through collaboration and joint planning. This analysis highlights the complexities of managing energy markets amidst global and regional challenges, emphasizing the importance of well-designed public interventions to secure long-term benefits. The study concludes with a call for enhanced interagency cooperation to reform ESD and create a new interdisciplinary sector dedicated to “Sustainable Development”. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-754cfdb5a5e54873bd03f214247eb998 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-754cfdb5a5e54873bd03f214247eb9982025-01-10T13:17:23ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118119610.3390/en18010196Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current LandscapeDzintra Atstāja0Banku Augstskola, BA School of Business and Finance, LV1013 Riga, LatviaEnergy is often described as the lifeblood of a nation’s economy, and the world energy trilemma calls for collaboration and innovative solutions at the national level. This is where Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a crucial role, helping integrate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing the challenges posed by the energy trilemma. Europe’s strong commitment to transitioning to sustainable energy is evident in its response to geopolitical changes and climate targets. Notably, the Baltic States have taken decisive action in response to the war in Ukraine, choosing to completely halt electricity imports from Russia and Belarus. This shift was supported by increased energy imports via interconnectors from Finland, Sweden, and Poland, with electricity imports rising to 13,053 GWh—an increase of 2.6% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Latvia, which holds the highest green energy potential in the Baltic Sea region, has nevertheless lagged behind its Baltic counterparts in terms of implementation. In 2021, Latvia ranked third among European Union (EU) countries for renewable energy share in final energy consumption, with 42.1%, significantly higher than the EU average of 21.8%. However, further progress is needed to meet Latvia’s 2030 target of 14% renewable energy use in transport. The Baltic States aim to produce 98–100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2050. The Baltic States should be regarded as a unified energy system, with a coordinated strategy for achieving sustainable energy development through collaboration and joint planning. This analysis highlights the complexities of managing energy markets amidst global and regional challenges, emphasizing the importance of well-designed public interventions to secure long-term benefits. The study concludes with a call for enhanced interagency cooperation to reform ESD and create a new interdisciplinary sector dedicated to “Sustainable Development”.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/196energy trilemmarenewable energyeducationBaltic statessustainable development goals |
| spellingShingle | Dzintra Atstāja Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current Landscape Energies energy trilemma renewable energy education Baltic states sustainable development goals |
| title | Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current Landscape |
| title_full | Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current Landscape |
| title_fullStr | Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current Landscape |
| title_full_unstemmed | Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current Landscape |
| title_short | Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Current Landscape |
| title_sort | renewable energy for sustainable development opportunities and current landscape |
| topic | energy trilemma renewable energy education Baltic states sustainable development goals |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/196 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dzintraatstaja renewableenergyforsustainabledevelopmentopportunitiesandcurrentlandscape |