Global Push for Renewables Falls Short of Climate Goals
Despite record growth in renewable energy, urgent action and international support are needed to meet climate targets and prevent severe consequences.
- Global renewable energy capacity grew by a record 473 gigawatts in 2023, yet it remains insufficient to meet the Paris Climate Agreement targets.
- To avoid catastrophic climate impacts, renewable energy capacity must triple, reaching 11.2 terawatts by 2030, according to IRENA.
- Developing countries like India face significant challenges in scaling up renewable energy due to financial, infrastructural, and land access issues.
- High-income countries are urged to increase climate finance to support emissions reductions in lower-income nations, aligning with their 'fair share' of climate action.
- Failure to expedite the energy transition could lead to severe economic and environmental consequences, including more frequent extreme weather events and loss of agricultural productivity.