The main target of renewables research and development is the long-term security of supply, resulting in a decreased dependency on energy imports. Renewable energy sources also allow for a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions which is an absolute requirement of international climate protection policies as defined by the Kyoto Protocol.
Contrary to fossil fuels, the utilization of renewables hardly generates carbon dioxide. Thus, renewables do not contribute to Global Warming, ideally. They are considered to have definitely less impact on our climate than fossil fuels.
The survey conducted by the German Aerospace Center ("DLR") shows that an 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions (based on the figures of 1990) coupled with a higher energy efficiency by 2050 is achievable. Quotations of CO2 emissions that could be avoided in the past and as per key scenario 2006 can be looked up HERE.
