Renewable energy is energy obtained from natural sources that are constantly replenished, such as wind, sunlight, flowing water, and geothermal energy. Unlike energy derived from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, which account for 75% of harmful greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, energy from renewable sources is cheap, clean, sustainable, and creates more jobs.
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in all sectors—electricity generation, heating and cooling, transportation, and industry—is crucial for addressing the climate crisis. To stay below 1.5°C of global warming, the world needs a gradual phase-out of fossil fuel use and a thorough transformation of the energy system through rapid electrification and the use of energy from renewable sources.
In 2022, renewable sources provided 29% of global electricity production. With the right investments, cheap electricity from renewable sources could account for 65% of total global electricity production by 2030.