What underlying cause has led to the increased adoption of renewable energy policies in many countries?

The main underlying cause is the growing awareness of climate change and the need to cut greenhouse‑gas emissions, which has made governments realize that fossil fuels will no longer meet environmental and social expectations. As scientists and activists highlight the risks of global warming, governments feel pressure from citizens, businesses, and international agreements to act. This urgency has driven policy makers to create incentives, subsidies, and regulations that favor renewable sources like wind and solar. A concrete illustration is Germany’s Energiewende, where the government accelerated renewables to meet both climate targets and public demand, leading to a rapid rise in solar and wind installations. Thus, the drive to mitigate climate change is the core reason behind the widespread adoption of renewable energy policies.