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

The document assesses the integration of renewable energy (RE) targets in Asian countries, highlighting national goals in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and China. It emphasizes that while RE technologies are feasible and market-oriented, their deployment in Asia is hindered by a lack of financing mechanisms and inadequate management capacity. The author argues for the use of legal instruments, South-South collaboration for 'appropriate' (small-scale) technologies, and innovative financing like revolving funds to overcome high upfront costs.

• Several Asian countries have integrated specific renewable energy targets into national strategies: Thailand aimed for alternative energy to reach 20% of total primary energy demand by 2022; Vietnam targeted a 5.0% share of ethanol and biodiesel in gasoline and diesel by 2025; and Lao PDR aimed for a 30% share of renewable energy by 2025.
• China has successfully promoted its RE industry through the adoption of a specific RE development law in 2006 and the 'Medium and Long-Term Development Plan for Renewable Energy in China' (2007), enabling the domestic production of its primary RE equipment.
• The deployment of renewable energy in developing Asian countries faces two primary obstacles: a lack of financing mechanisms to cover high upfront costs and insufficient capacity for managing and deploying the technology.
• To address financing gaps, the document suggests the use of revolving funds, citing successful implementations in India, China, and Turkey, often supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
• The author recommends that hydropower development in Asia must be managed carefully to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity and populations dependent on ecosystem services, and suggests that 'appropriate' small-scale technologies (e.g., small hydro and wind-solar hybrids) are better suited for small island states.

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} }