The intersection of renewable energy and climate adaptation: Pathways to a low-carbon future

The crossroads of renewable energy and climate adaptation are crucial in a low-carbon future, especially as climate changes intensify. Transitioning into renewable sources-like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power-must urgently address carbon emissions and foster resilience to climate extremes. Renewable energy does not only provide an entry point for low-emitting energy production but also responds and expands its capacities since it ensures decentralized and sustainable power generation (IPCC, 2021). The convergence of renewable energy with climate adaptation approaches can ensure that countries enhance infrastructure resilience, aid the vulnerable, and offer energy security at times when climate events may be more uncertain (Moser & Ekstrom, 2010). Besides, renewable energy provides both developing and emerging economies with economic benefits such as cost savings from operational power generation and the creation of jobs, based on sustainable growth. Still, to overcome the challenges, this conversion of traditional sources to renewable sources necessitates macro-level policy, technological, and capital supports. These include the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and the need to strengthen grid infrastructure at various levels (Peters et al., 2019). A coordinated strategy that links renewable energy deployment and climate adaptation has been visualized in a way to provide a sustainable, low-carbon future to avoid the worst of global climate change. Drawing from the range of literature on renewable energy deployment and climate adaptation, this paper identifies some pathways to integrate renewable energy into broader climate adaptation strategies, giving policy recommendations to make the transition happen.