Renewable energy and CO₂ emission reductions: A comparative analysis of Germany, France, and Türkiye

Abstract

The global transition toward renewable energy is recognized as a critical strategy for mitigating climate change by reducing CO₂ emissions. This study examines the relationship between renewable energy adoption and carbon emissions in Germany, France, and Türkiye, utilizing Pearson correlation and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression on data from 2008 to 2015. Unlike many studies on single-country contexts, this research adopts a comparative approach to assess how national energy profiles and policy frameworks influence emission outcomes. Findings indicate that France, supported by a balanced nuclear-renewable mix, achieves the most consistent emission reductions. Germany exhibits a moderate negative correlation between renewables and emissions but maintains high absolute emission levels. Türkiye, meanwhile, reveals weak or even positive correlations between renewables and emissions, reflecting challenges in integrating low-carbon solutions. These insights highlight the significance of context-specific strategies in designing effective energy transition policies and contribute to the broader discourse on aligning national actions with global climate targets.

Keywords

• Climate change mitigation
• CO2 emission
• Correlation analysis
• Policy support
• Renewable energy

References

1. [1] Abidi I, Nsaibi M. Assessing the Impact of Renewable Energy in Mitigating Climate Change: A Comprehensive Study on Effectiveness and Adaptation Support. Int J Energy Econ Policy. 2024. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.15769
2. [2] Agbakwuru V, Obidi PO, Salihu OS, MaryJane OC. The role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development goals. Int J Eng Res Updates. 2024. https://doi.org/10.53430/ijeru.2024.7.2.0046
3. [3] Eitan A. Climate Change Adaptation through Renewable Energy: The Cases of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Environments. 2024;11(9):199. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11090199
4. [4] Marouani I. Contribution of renewable energy technologies in combating the phenomenon of global warming and minimizing GHG emissions. Clean Energy Sci Technol. 2024;2(2):164. https://doi.org/10.18686/cest.v2i2.164
5. [5] Attanayake K, Wickramage I, Samarasinghe U, Ranmini Y, Ehalapitiya S, Jayathilaka R, et al. Renewable energy as a solution to climate change: Insights from a comprehensive study across nations. PLOS ONE. 2024;19(6):e0299807. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299807
6. [6] Suman A. Role of renewable energy technologies in climate change adaptation and mitigation: A brief review from Nepal. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2021;151:111524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111524
7. [7] Huang Y, Kuldasheva Z, Salahodjaev R. Renewable Energy and CO2 Emissions: Empirical Evidence from Major Energy-Consuming Countries. Energies. 2021;14(22):7504. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227504
8. [8] Sari Saudi ND, Reviane ITA, Paddu AH, Agustin G, Djam’an F, Sabbar SD. Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development: An Empirical Study of Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Adoption. Int J Energy Econ Policy. 2024;14(4):526-537. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.15953

9. [9] Christensen L. Renewable Energy Adoption and Carbon Emission Reductions in Copenhagen, Denmark. Int J Clim Stud. 2024;3(3):26-38. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijcs.2971
10. [10] Koengkan M, Fuinhas JA. The impact of renewable energy consumption on carbon dioxide emissions - the case of South American countries. Rev Bras Econ Reg Urb. 2018;7(2). https://doi.org/10.5380/rber.v7i2.58266
11. [11] Szetela B, Majewska A, Jamróz P, Djalilov BS, Salahodjaev R. Renewable Energy and CO2 Emissions in Top Natural Resource Rents Depending Countries: The Role of Governance. Front Energy Res. 2022;10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2022.872941
12. [12] Raihan A, Chandra Voumik L. Carbon emission reduction potential of renewable energy, remittance, and technological innovation: empirical evidence from China. J Technol Innov Energy. 2022;1(4):25-36. https://doi.org/10.56556/jtie.v1i4.398
13. [13] Ugurlu E. Impacts of Renewable Energy on CO2 Emission: Evidence from the Visegrad Group Countries. Politics Cent Eur. 2022;18(2):295-315. https://doi.org/10.2478/pce-2022-0013
14. [14] Xie P, Zhu Z, Hu G, Huang J. Renewable energy and economic growth hypothesis: Evidence from N-11 countries. Econ Res-Ekon Istraž. 2023;36(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.203865
15. [15] Mentel G, Tarczyński W, Dylewski M, Salahodjaev R. Does the Renewable Energy Sector Affect the Industrialization-CO2 Emissions Nexus in Europe and Central Asia? Energies. 2022;15(16):5877. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15165877
16. [16] Bi Z, Guo R, Khan R. Renewable Adoption, Energy Reliance, and CO2 Emissions: A Comparison of Developed and Developing Economies. Energies. 2024;17(13):3111. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133111
17. [17] Huang Y, Kuldasheva Z, Salahodjaev R. Renewable Energy and CO2 Emissions: Empirical Evidence from Major Energy-Consuming Countries. Energies. 2021;14(22):7504. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227504
18. [18] Keh CG, Tan YT, Tang SE, Gan PT. Nexus between renewable energy and carbon dioxide emissions: evidence from the institutional threshold effect. J Tour Hosp Environ Manag. 2024;9(36):18-39. https://doi.org/10.35631/jthem.936002
19. [19] Efe-Onakpojeruo CC, Seraj M, Özdeşer H. Comparative Analysis of the Relationship between Renewable Energy Adoption, Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption, and CO₂ Emission in the United States and China. Adv Environ Eng Res. 2024;5(3):1-18. https://doi.org/10.21926/aeer.2403018
20. [20] Anke CP, Schönheit D, Möst D. Measuring the Impact of Renewable Energy Sources on Power Sector Carbon Emissions in Germany—a Methodological Inquiry. Environ Econ Policy Stud. 2021;45(1):1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12398-020-00292-8
21. [21] International Energy Agency (IEA). Energy and Climate Change: World Energy Outlook Special Report. Paris: IEA; 2015. Available from: https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/8d783513-fd22-463a-b57d-a0d8d608d86f/WEO2015SpecialReportonEnergyandClimateChange.pdf
22. [22] European Environment Agency (EEA). Trends and Projections in Europe 2016: Tracking Progress Towards Europe's Climate and Energy Targets. EEA Report No 29/2016. Copenhagen: EEA; 2016. Available from: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/trends-and-projections-in-europe
23. [23] Fankhauser S, Gennaioli C, Collins M. The political economy of passing climate change legislation: Evidence from a survey. Glob Environ Change. 2015;35:52-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.08.003
24. [24] Del Río P, Mir-Artigues P. Combinations of support instruments for renewable electricity in Europe: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2014;40:287-295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.011
25. [25] World Bank. World development indicators. 2024 Aug 1. Available from: https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators