Renewables surge as emissions continue to creep up
A new report has found that a record 740GW of renewables capacity was added globally in 2024, but that increased energy demand led to CO2 emissions rising by 0.8 per cent.
According to REN21’s Renewables 2025 Global Status Report: Global Overview, solar PV made up the vast bulk of new deployment, accounting for 81 per cent. While solar is on track to hit its contribution to COP28 2030 targets, the broader picture is less positive, with an expected total shortfall in renewables capacity of 6.2 terawatts by the end of the decade.
Total energy demand worldwide rose 2.2 per cent in 2024, driven predominantly by China and emerging economies. Meanwhile the growth of segments such as AI, cooling and EVs saw global electricity use up 4.3 per cent. According to REN21 executive director, Rana Adib, a systemic transformation is required to not only speed up deployment of renewables, but also facilitate the infrastructure needed to maximise their impact.
“We are deploying renewables in record numbers, but we are not building the systems needed to transition to a renewables-based economy,” said Adib.
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