Submission Date- 23 February 2024
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Submission Date- 23 February 2024
Student ID- 2418935
File Name- Dissertation Proposal
Word Count 1532
Character Count- 11454
STUDENT ID- 2418935
WORKING RESEARCH QUESTION
How does the expansion of renewable energy in low-income countries, which traditionally relied on imported fossil fuels, impact the geopolitical landscape in terms of security and climate change mitigation?
BACKGROUND
The world needs to address two urgent issues: first, keeping global warming to 1.5C; and second, promoting inclusive and equitable socioeconomic development. These two issues ought to be handled together and shouldn't be viewed as conflicting (Vanegas Cantarero, 2020).
Due to the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions driven by global economic and population growth, the demand for energy has been rising significantly in recent years. But utilizing fossil fuels to meet the demand for energy has resulted in a number of issues related to the environment and society, such as air pollution, global warming, and political instability. Consequently, there has been a surge in interest of countries that traditionally relied on fossil fuels, in shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources because they provide a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative (Masri andEricson,2023).
One of the key factors that will influence geopolitics in the twenty-first century is the energy transformation, accompanied by shifts in urbanization, inequality, demographics, technology, environmental sustainability, military capability, and national politics in the larger states (Irena, 2019).
RESEARCH AIMS
For my dissertation, I propose to explore the question, How does the expansion of renewable energy in low-income countries, which traditionally relied on imported fossil fuels, impact the geopolitical landscape in terms of security and climate change mitigation?
And, also going in depth to understand what are the specific mechanisms through which this transition to energy independence influences regional power dynamics, national security strategies, and global efforts to combatclimatechange?
It is obvious that reduced greenhouse gas emissions from increased renewable energy use will lessen the risk of conflict and instability that climate change would otherwise bring about. Africa is one area where widespread use of renewable energy could have important geopolitical consequences (www.ipcc.ch, n.d.).
My Research aims to analyse the transition of fossil fuels to renewable energy in low-income countries will create a change in the global dynamics and towards the sustainable future.
Changes in the energy system itself versus geopolitical consequences of these changes.
Fading of old versus emergence of new energy system.
Risks versus benefits.
Shifts in geopolitical power versus alliances
Approach towards climate change mitigation
The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy
Assumptions versus uncertainties.
Threat to International Security Dynamics
LITERATURE REVIEW
The severity of the environmental danger posed by climate change and global warming, which is due largely to the combustion of fossil fuels, economies should consider energy transition and how they should produce and consume energy sources (Kern & Rogge, 2016).
The goal of the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP) is to make it possible for the world's poorest nations to pursue low-carbon energy paths and promote a revolutionary shift. It aims to improve economic growth, lessen dependency on fossil fuels, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and expand overall energy availability for the people of partnernations (www.cif.org, n.d.).
Low-income nations have a unique opportunity to restructure their energy systems in a way that promotes sustainable development and increases energy security as they move toward renewable energy. By utilizing renewable energy sources, these countries can open up the opportunities for social justice, economic development, and environmental protection, improving their geopolitical environment (Dmitry Kurochkin et al., 2019).
For the low-income countries, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy can be a significant opportunity to bolster their energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuel, and meet their net-zero targets(Unlocking Renewable Energy Future in Emerging Markets, n.d.).
The energy transition brings together research from a variety of disciplines economics, finance, energy systems and environmental science to give a directional view of how the transition may evolve in future. Also, for major fossil fuel producers, especially those in the Middle East and North Africa, the economic benefits of clean energy will probably be overshadowed by the decline of existing energy sources (Americo et al., 2023).
The majority of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) will benefit from reducing fossil fuel imports and generating renewable energy domestically, because this will boost job creation and economic growth. The exceptions to this are the two biggest oil producers in the region, Nigeria and Angola, which are at risk because they depend heavily on fossil fuel rents. Because of their size and large fossil fuel exports, In the long-term, however, African countries have a unique opportunity to leapfrog the fossil fuel-centred development model despite recent discoveries of oil and gas (Irena, 2019).
METHODOLOGY
To conduct the research, qualitative research method such as content analysis will be used. This project employs the literature review method, concentrating on the challenges and opportunities associated with the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in the low-income countries that are included in the case studies. A literature review approach involves methodically gathering and assessing data from academic journals, national and international organizations, and ideas that are relevant to the research topic. This project will examine the theories, reports, and writings that have already been written about the consequences and difficulties of switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. I can also examine the document The Renewable Energy transition in Africa(The Renewable Energy Transition in Africa Powering Access, Resilience and Prosperity On behalf of the, n.d.).
With the use of this approach, I will able to present a thorough summary of the state of knowledge in the research field, identify patterns, developments, and gaps in the literature, and integrate knowledge and ideas from a varietyofsources.
I will be looking at 3 crucial case studies of countries from Asia and Africa
-Bangladesh (Asia)
- Nigeria (Africa)
- Angola (Africa)
These countries are the subject matter of the research. These nations were chosen to provide important insights into the broader effects of renewable energy transitions due to their strategic importance and representativeness of various geographic, economic and developmental situations.
I have chosen these case studies because they span different countries but shows similar values despite their geographic locations and economic characteristics and their connection lies in their shared status as low- income countries facing significant energy challenges, these countries are traditionally relied on fossil fuels to meet their needs. But possess significant renewable energy potential including solar, wind, hydro and biomass resources. Transition of these countries from fossil fuels to renewable energy has major geopolitical significance. Their energy choices have the potential to impact global efforts to combat climate change, international energy markets, and geographical stability.
TIMETABLE
My provisional timetable is as follows:
Ongoing: Literature Research, note taking and review.
By mid-April Methodology Development and Data collection.
April-May- Data Analysis of Case Studies
June- Drafting Results
July-August Write-up
September -Final Submission
CONCLUSION
Final part of the dissertation will include how geopolitics is changing due to the world's transition to renewable energy sources, which presents both opportunities and problems. Making the shift to renewable energy sources improves economic opportunities and energy security for low-income nations that depend on imports of fossil fuels. Investing in infrastructure for renewable energy might help these countries promote sustainable development and lessen their reliance on volatile markets. Because renewable energy promotes environmental sustainability and lessens dependency on commodities that are politically sensitive, a world powered mostly by renewable energy offers greater stability and collaboration. Even while there are still uncertainties the shift offers a means to a more stable and peaceful global energy environment.
Overall, I believe this topic has a broader future scope towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Shifting towards renewable energy from fossils fuels is a big step towards sustainable development and sustainable future. And, my proposal will provide a better present findings and analysis.
ETHICS
I will adhere closely to the University of Bristols ethics framework and policy while completing this project.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1)Vanegas Cantarero, M.M. (2020). Of renewable energy, energy democracy, and sustainable development: A roadmap to accelerate the energy transition in developing countries.Energy Research & Social Science, [online] 70(2020), p.101716. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101716.
2)Masri, B. and Ericson, T. (2023).The transition from fossil energy to renewable energy Difficulties and Opportunities. [online] Available at: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1761851/FULLTEXT01.pdf.
3) Irena (2019).A New World. [online] Available at: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2019/Jan/Global_commission_geopolitics_new_world_2019.pdf.
4)www.cif.org. (n.d.).Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries| Climate Investment Funds. [online] Available at: https://www.cif.org/topics/energy-access.
5)Kern, F., & Rogge, K. S. (2016). The pace of governed energy transitions: Agency, international dynamics and the global Paris agreement accelerating decarbonisation processes?Energy Research & Social Science,22, 1317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2016.08.016
6) Americo, A., Johal, J., & Upper, C. (2023).The energy transition and its macroeconomic effects. https://www.bis.org/publ/bppdf/bispap135.pdf7)Irena. (2019).A New World. https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2019/Jan/Global_commission_geopolitics_new_world_2019.pdf
8) Dmitry Kurochkin, Shabliy, E.V., Ekundayo Shittu and Springerlink (Online Service (2019).Renewable Energy: International Perspectives on Sustainability. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
9) Unlocking renewable energy future in emerging markets. (n.d.). World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/impact/clean-energy-in-emerging-markets/
10)The Renewable Energy Transition in Africa Powering Access, Resilience and Prosperity On behalf of the. (n.d.).
Available at: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/March/Renewable_Energy_Transition_Africa_2021.pdf.
11)www.ipcc.ch. (n.d.).Chapter 9: Africa. [online] Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/chapter/chapter-9/.
