IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation: challenges for Asian countries

This briefing, written by Lailai Li of the Stockholm Environment Institute for the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, reviews the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN) with a focus on challenges and responses in Asian countries. It examines national renewable energy targets in the Greater Mekong Sub-region and China, the role of legal instruments and financing mechanisms like revolving funds, and the need for capacity building to manage renewable energy technologies.

• Several Asian countries have established specific national targets for renewable energy. Thailand's Alternative Energy Development Plan 2008-2022 aims for alternative energy to reach 20% of total primary energy demand by 2022, up from 0.5% in 2005. Vietnam targets renewable energy shares of 3.0% by 2010, 5.0% by 2020, and 11.0% by 2050, with specific bio-fuel targets of 5.0% for ethanol and biodiesel in gasoline and diesel by 2025. Lao PDR aims for 30% renewable energy by 2025 and 90% household electrification by 2020, while Cambodia targets 100% rural electrification using renewable sources by 2020.
• China has aggressively pursued renewable energy through both policy and industrial development, enabling the domestic production of its primary renewable energy equipment. Under its "Medium and Long-Term Development Plan for Renewable Energy in China" adopted in 2007, the country set 2020 power generation targets of 300 GW for hydropower, 30 GW for biomass power, 30 GW for wind power, and 1.8 GW for solar PV.
• The briefing emphasizes that legal instruments are critical for accelerating renewable energy deployment, citing China's 2006 RE development law as a key driver. It also notes the effectiveness of laws regarding protected areas and rain water harvesting in India, Bangladesh, and Australia. However, it cautions that the effectiveness of such instruments is country-specific and requires research before replication.
• Asian countries face two primary obstacles in implementing renewable energy recommendations: a lack of financing mechanisms and inadequate management capacity. High upfront costs often prevent developing countries from adopting technologies supplied by developed nations. The document highlights "revolving funds" used in China, India, and Turkey as a successful innovative financing model to overcome initial investment barriers.
• The report suggests that hydropower development in Asia must be managed carefully to mitigate negative social, economic, and environmental impacts due to the region's high biodiversity, cross-border rivers, and large populations dependent on ecosystem services. Additionally, it advocates for "appropriate RE technologies" (such as small hydro, small wind mills, and small geothermal) for small island states, supported by South-South collaboration and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

APA

Li, L. (n.d.). IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation: challenges for Asian countries. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/SRREN-Review-Note-Lailai3.pdf

Chicago

Li, Lailai. IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation: challenges for Asian countries. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, n.d. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/SRREN-Review-Note-Lailai3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Li |first1=Lailai |title=IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation: challenges for Asian countries |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/SRREN-Review-Note-Lailai3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lindipcc, author = {Li, Lailai}, title = {{IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation: challenges for Asian countries}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/SRREN-Review-Note-Lailai3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }