Energy Transition in Norway, Sweden, and Portugal: Reconciling Conflicts Between Climate and Environmental Objectives in the context of Hydropower Production

Abstract

Promoting renewable energy and transitioning away from fossil fuels are crucial in combating climate change. However, the production of renewable energy often poses risks to biodiversity. For example, hydropower production, while contributing to the renewable energy share, can have significant negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems and the dependent ecosystems. The European Union (EU) has played a leading role in global energy transition. It has implemented the Energy Directive and maintains water quality standards through the Water Framework Directive. These policies highlight the need to balance renewable energy production with biodiversity protection. This thesis aims to analyze the overachievement, regarding energy targets, by Sweden and Norway, two prominent countries in Europe, to identify their best practices in promoting renewable energy while safeguarding biodiversity. Sweden and Norway are particularly relevant as they have long relied on hydropower production, which has been instrumental in their renewable energy generation. By comparing and examining the practices of these countries, valuable insights can be derived and offered as inspiration to Portuguese policymakers who are currently navigating the conflicting goals of renewable energy development and biodiversity conservation in their hydropower sector.