UNITED NATIONS, October 7 (WSH) — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on countries to “seize this historic opportunity” to speed up the global shift from fossil fuels, as renewable energy generation surpasses coal for the first time.
According to new data released Tuesday by the global think tank Ember and the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world is witnessing an unprecedented surge in renewable power — marking what experts describe as a “turning point” in the clean energy transition.
Renewables Outpace Fossil Fuels
Ember’s analysis shows that solar and wind energy met the growth in global electricity demand during the first half of 2025, leading to a slight decline in coal and gas use compared with last year. “This marks the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth,” said Ember’s Senior Electricity Analyst, Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka.
The IEA’s report projects global renewable power capacity to expand by 4,600 gigawatts by 2030—roughly equivalent to the combined total capacity of China, the European Union, and Japan. Solar photovoltaic energy is expected to drive nearly 80 percent of that growth, followed by wind, hydro, bioenergy, and geothermal sources.
A Critical Moment for Global Action
Reacting to the reports, Guterres stated that “the clean energy future is no longer a distant promise—it’s here.” He urged governments to strengthen policy measures and investments to ensure that the energy transition is both fast and fair, reiterating the need to keep global warming within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as set by the Paris Agreement.
While the progress underscores optimism ahead of COP30 in Brazil this November, the Secretary-General warned that the pace of change remains insufficient to meet global climate goals. “We must supercharge the transition to secure a livable planet and a better future for all,” he said.
