Renewable Energy Interventions and Urban Emission Reduction: Evidence from Global Policy Instruments

Abstract

The current research examines how policy frameworks of renewable energy abate carbon emissions in urban settings by focusing on the main instruments of intervention, such as policy measures including subsidies, tax policies, proportional policies, renewable portfolio standards, feed-in tariffs and carbon pricing mechanisms. Drawing on a secondary data source, the methodological framework includes quantitative methods (here, the specific techniques of correlation analysis and multivariate regression) to define emission trajectories of a representative sample of metropolitan regions. The empirical results show a proportional one-to-one relationship between increasing energy spending and falling emissions, and at the same time, a positive correlation between growing industrial activity and rising carbon production. Moreover, the analysis shows policy levers, such as subsidies, fiscal incentives, the renewable portfolio requirements, and carbon pricing, have a greater impact on reducing emissions than feed-in tariffs. The study further reports a null correlation between urban population growth and falling emission levels, therefore adding that demographic growth is not the main driver for the improvement of the environment. Overall, the study proposes that suitable policy packages can be designed, implemented, and enforced in concert with positive economic development to assist decoupling between economic development and high emission levels. The study suggests a further need for research on the long-term consequences of particular policy instruments, sectoral discrepancies and public awareness and the shift to a well-founded, sustainable urban transformation.