The prospects for sustainable development : the case of wind power in India

Abstract

The development establishment adopts a "win-win" approach to sustainable development. In this approach, technological innovation promoted by market-oriented policy frameworks enables the mainstream development model of industrial, economic growth to proceed within environmental limits. Less-developed countries enjoy the benefits of increased goods and services whilst the environment is preserved. Energy is a critical input to development. The negative environmental impacts of global energy systems dominated by fossil fuel combustion make such systems unsustainable. To succeed, the "win-win" approach requires a transition to a sustainable energy system. Renewable energy technologies are a key component of such a system and wind power is widely regarded as one of the leading such technologies. This thesis assesses the prospects for the "win-win" approach to sustainable development through an examination of the case of wind power in India.