Challenges and Opportunities of Renewable Energy for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The study identifies the pathways to promote renewable energy in the Middle East and assesses its scope to attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research undertakes a comparative thematic analysis of available literature on the subject to categorize the Middle Eastern countries into three groups based on their economic and political systems: hydrocarbon-producing countries, non-hydrocarbon-producing countries, and countries facing conflicts. The research reveals that there is a considerable gap in the adoption and utilization of renewable energy in the Middle East, which can be attributed to the differences in the governing systems, policies, financial conditions, and stability in these countries. The study reveals that renewable energy can play a pivotal role in the economic diversification and generation of employment opportunities in the Middle East, which can be achieved by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing energy security. The research highlights that the adoption and utilization of renewable energy can be restricted due to its high capital costs and geopolitical conditions in the Middle East.