Are the brics making the transtion towards clean energy systems?

Abstract

This paper aims at exploring the impact of the global institutional frameworks on the process of diffusion of renewable energy technologies in the BRICS countries i.e. Brazil, China India, Russia and South Africa . We address empirically this issue making use of national aggregated data from the World Development Indicators and International Energy Agency, as well as from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change . The paper shows that global internati onal frameworks seem to support the efficient use of fossil fuels, but not the diffusion of renewable technologies. Higher education, as well as s ome natural endowments and national policy culture may support the diffusion of renewable technologies . Instea d, e conomic and social development, technological capabilities, and internationalisation of national business support reliance on fossils and hold back diffusion of renewable technologies.