World breaks renewable energy record but still behind climate targets

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🗞️ Driving the news: For the first time in history, renewables have become the world's largest source of electricity, surpassing coal and meeting global electricity demand growth
• However, a new joint report by IRENA, the COP30 Brazilian Presidency, and the Global Renewables Alliance warns that current progress is insufficient to keep global warming below 1.5°C
• Despite a record-breaking 582 GW of new capacity added in 2024, the pace must double to meet the COP28 target of tripling renewables by 2030

🔭 The context: The renewable energy sector has seen unprecedented growth: solar power surged by 31% and wind by 7.7% in the first half of 2025, while fossil fuel generation slightly declined
• In the EU, renewable capacity reached 702.6 GW, with solar becoming the leading electricity source in June 2025
• But current trajectories fall short of the 11.2 TW capacity needed globally by 2030 to stay aligned with the Paris Agreement goals

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: While clean energy milestones represent critical progress, the pace of expansion remains insufficient to avoid catastrophic climate impacts
• The report underscores that even record growth won't prevent temperature overshoot unless accompanied by accelerated deployment, stronger national policies, and grid infrastructure investment
• The energy transition is vital not only for emissions reduction but also for economic resilience and energy security

⏭️ What's next: The report urges nations to integrate more ambitious renewable energy targets into their national climate plans ahead of COP30
• It also calls for significant investment in grids, storage, and supply chains. Without faster action, the global capacity will fall short by nearly 1 TW by 2030
• Leaders are expected to revisit national commitments and financing mechanisms in the run-up to COP30 in Brazil, where implementation will be a central theme

💬 One quote: "The window to keep the 1.5°C limit within reach is rapidly closing. We must step up, scale up and speed up the energy transition," — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

📈 One stat: To meet the COP28 target, the world must add 1,122 GW of renewable capacity annually — almost double the record-breaking 582 GW added in 2024

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