Polycrisis spurring renewables, says new report

Published by renewable energy think tank REN21, the 2023 Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) outlines how the ‘polycrisis’ has boosted the uptake in renewables. Rising energy and food prices - driven in large part by the war in Ukraine - combined with increased awareness of the impending climate threat, are proving powerful motivators for overdue change, according to REN21.

“It’s a typical story of challenges turned into opportunities,” said Rana Adib, REN21 executive director.

“The polycrisis made policymakers and the leaders of key energy-consuming sectors realise the benefits of renewables as a local energy source that can guarantee security of supply and stable costs. It’s what we’ve been saying for decades, so it’s unfortunate that it took a crisis for the world to finally turn to renewables to operate industries, buildings, transport and agriculture – a crisis that, in many places, pushed families into poverty, forced factories to cut production and slowed economic growth.”