Green Growth and Renewable Energy Opportunities for Climate Mitigation

Abstract

This study investigates the intersection of green growth and renewable energy development as strategic pathways for climate change mitigation. Framed within the global urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the research examines the extent to which renewable energy deployment contributes to carbon emission reduction and sustainable economic growth across selected developed and developing nations. The aim of this study was to assess the empirical and policy linkages between renewable energy capacity, investment levels, carbon emissions, and GDP growth. Methodologically, a mixedmethods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from international databases (IEA, UNFCCC, World Bank) spanning 2010–2024 with qualitative analysis of national policy documents and case studies. Statistical tools, including Pearson correlation and regression modelling, were used to assess the temporal and cross-national patterns. Findings of the study reveal that countries with coherent energy policies and strong institutional frameworks, such as Germany, Sweden, and Costa Rica, demonstrate a significant inverse relationship between renewable capacity and emissions. In contrast, developing countries like Nigeria and India display weak or positive correlations due to infrastructural and policy constraints. Moreover, the study found no consistent link between renewable energy investments and short-term GDP growth, especially in developing nations. The study thus concluded that while renewable energy is a critical enabler of green growth, its effectiveness depends on systemic integration, policy coherence, and fossil fuel displacement. The study recommends the establishment of robust institutional frameworks to support renewable integration and increased international climate finance to bolster capacity in low-income countries. This research offers evidence-based insights to inform global policy discourses on sustainable energy transitions.