The world reached a new clean energy record
Renewables supplied 40% of the world's power in 2023.
Watch time: 38 seconds
Transcript
Clean energy hit a new high last year.
According to a new report, in 2023, for the first time ever, 40 percent of the world’s energy came from carbon-free sources.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that, last year, hydropower provided around 15 percent of the world’s power; wind and solar combined to meet 14 percent, while nuclear supplied around 9.5.
And clean energy is poised for even more growth going forward.
In 2023, the amount of solar power installed exceeded the total amount of new energy built the year prior.
And in the first half of this year, energy financiers have already invested $313 billion into renewables.
As one of the report’s authors said, “If there are [clean energy] projects ready and able to move forward, the capital will come.”
Sources Cited 🗃️📚
Catsaros, O. (2024, August 27). Clean Electricity Breaks New Records; Renewables on Track for Another Strong Year: BloombergNEF. BloombergNEF.
A little Extra
Clean energy reaching new records is always cause for celebration.
Are we making as swift of progress as we should? Nope.
Does every bit of progress we’re still able to make matter? Absolutely.
While there’s still plenty of work that needs to be done to go from 40 percent carbon-free energy to 100 percent, hitting this new level should encourage us that progress is being made and that we have the potential to move even faster.
As long as the right policies are put in place and protected, climate action and the clean energy transition is poised to race ahead.
Learn More
How a federal rule could get America’s grid ready for renewable revolution. (Syris Valentine, Grist)
Drought hits hydropower hard. How do states adapt? (Syris Valentine, Grist)
Solar and wind surged over the last decade. (Syris Valentine, Grist)
Over $240 billion have been invested in clean energy since the Inflation Reduction Act passed. (Syris Valentine, Grist)