Renewable Energy Alone Cannot Curb Global Emissions

The International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA) reported a record global addition of 582 GW in renewable energy capacity in 2024, yet fossil fuel use remains unabated, leading to persistent growth in global emissions.

Challenges in Global Energy Transition and Climate Mitigation

1. Rising Renewable Capacity but Limited Climate Gains

• Annual Growth in Renewables:
  • The world added 582 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2024, a 15% increase over 2023 (IRENA).
  • This marks the highest annual rise in renewable capacity addition recorded to date.
• Fossil Fuel Dominance Persists:
  • Despite this boom, fossil fuels still constitute over 70% of global electricity production.
  • Fossil fuel electricity generation grew from 15,556 TWh (2000) to over 29,867 TWh (2022).
  • Renewables' share rose from 3% (2000) to 29.9% (2022), but this has not displaced fossil generation in absolute terms.

2. Global Imbalance in Renewable Deployment

• Uneven Regional Progress:
  • Europe and China have led renewable deployment; Africa, West Asia, and parts of South Asia lag significantly.
  • In 2024, China accounted for 36.4% of global renewable capacity addition (212 GW of the total 582 GW).
• Monopoly of Supply Chains:
  • China dominates manufacturing and supply chains of solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries, leading to dependency risks for developing nations.

3. Challenges to Transitioning Energy Systems

• Energy Security vs Climate Goals:
  • Countries are prioritising energy security due to geopolitical tensions (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war), thereby reinforcing fossil fuel dependence.
• Technical and Economic Constraints:
  • Renewable intermittency and insufficient grid infrastructure hinder large-scale transition, particularly in developing economies.
  • Limited storage solutions and high costs also obstruct full-scale replacement of thermal power.

4. Misalignment Between Installed Capacity and Emission Reduction

• Electricity:
  • Electricity is only 20% of final global energy consumption; sectors like transport and industry still rely heavily on fossil fuels.
  • Hence, emissions from oil and gas use in these sectors continue to rise despite the decarbonisation of electricity production.

Way Forward

• Phasing Out Fossil Subsidies: Redirect fossil fuel subsidies to storage and green hydrogen development.
• Global Technology Transfer: Encourage North-South collaboration on renewable technologies and battery storage.
• Universal Energy Access: Ensure that energy transition policies do not compromise access in the Global South.
• Diversified Supply Chains: Reduce dependency on single-nation dominance (like China) by encouraging decentralised manufacturing.
• Integrated Climate Policy: Decarbonisation must expand to sectors beyond electricity—transport (EVs, biofuels), heating, and industry (green steel, hydrogen).

While renewables are expanding, they are merely supplementing—not replacing—fossil fuel-based generation. The absolute use of fossil fuels continues to grow, driven by rising global energy demand.