Harnessing the Power of Green Trends and Climate-Friendly Policies, Part 2 of a Multi-part Series

Scotland is passionately committed to powering itself entirely with renewable energy. In 2022, Scotland fulfilled more than 100% of its total energy needs with renewables. One of the most exciting and innovative aspects of the Scottish Government’s strategy is its offshore wind project. The project aims to harness the enormous potential of Scotland’s wind resources, which are among the best in the world, to generate up to 11 gigawatts of power by 2030, enough to meet more than twice the country’s current electricity demand. This project is also a great opportunity for the Scottish economy, as it creates thousands of jobs, supports local businesses, and attracts foreign investment.

With significant strides in the renewable energy sector, the Scottish Government’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan outline a clear path for Scotland’s rapid, fair transition away from fossil fuels. The strategy revolves around three core goals. Firstly, to significantly boost renewable energy production, facilitating a fair transition from fossil fuels. Secondly, to maintain and increase investment in the net-zero energy sector. Lastly, to establish a more equitable and stable energy system independent of fluctuating global commodity markets, ultimately leading to reduced expenses for consumers.

Now, we’ll travel to Costa Rica, where the country has set a remarkable and consistent record by producing 98% of its electricity from renewable sources for over eight consecutive years as of 2022. Costa Rica is a country of only five million people, but it has a huge commitment to the environment and to the well-being of its citizens. In the year 2022, the country’s hydroelectric power production reached close to 9.5 terawatt-hours, accounting for more than 75 percent of the total electricity generated nationally. The majority of Costa Rica’s electricity comes from hydropower, with large hydropower facilities fed by a myriad of rivers and heavy seasonal rains. Moreover, the country has also implemented measures, such as biodiversity conservation, watershed management, and community participation to minimize the projects’ environmental and social impacts.