The resource curse in renewable energy: A framework for risk assessment

Renewable energy development can enable climate-compatible growth in low- and middle-income countries, particularly given the substantial opportunities for export to high-income countries seeking decarbonise their systems. However, this also comes with significant risks, including potential trigger a resource curse of adverse social, environmental, economic effects resulting paradoxically slowed growth. Here, we propose novel framework assess risks associated renewable rooted literature. Eighteen symptoms are evaluated terms relevance energy, benefits during established. We find that context-specific factors key determining whether developments will provoke impacts or positive opportunities; so, preemptive risk assessment is needed implement prevention mitigation strategies. For example, while fossil fuel has been seen some circumstances increase dependence on external capital technology, where adequate education financing strategies implemented, it instead enhance autonomy development. Similar apply development, must be evaluated. The proposed applied individual contexts help companies, sectors, projects maximise outcomes avoid curse.