The United Nations has outlined priority actions to accelerate renewable energy investment and transition from fossil fuels to meet global climate goals.
In its latest report titled “Seizing the Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the New Era of Renewables, Efficiency and Electrification,” the UN said falling costs of solar, wind, and electric vehicles had given rise to a new clean energy economy.
It advised governments to align policies, incentives and resources with just energy-transition roadmaps as part of national strategies for green industrialisation and economic competitiveness.
Countries must rapidly roll out renewable technologies and commit to net-zero energy systems by 2050 at the latest, the report stated.
The UN stressed that increased renewable capacity must be matched by modern grid and storage infrastructure to expand the share of renewables in power generation.
It recommended expanding technical and vocational education in clean energy for women, youth, minorities and vulnerable groups.
The report also urged diversification and resilience in clean energy supply chains, and broader inclusion of developing countries through integrated green energy-industrial strategies.
According to the report, global green energy investment reached US$2 trillion in 2024—about US$800 billion more than fossil fuel investment.
It said global renewable electricity capacity rose by 2,600 GW (140 per cent) between 2015 and 2024, while fossil fuel capacity increased by just 640 GW (16 per cent).
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected by energy access gaps, with 565 million people lacking electricity in 2023—representing 85 per cent of the global population without access.
The UN expressed concern that Africa received only 1.5 per cent of global renewable energy investments, despite holding resource potential ten times its projected electricity demand in 2040.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the fossil fuel era was “flailing and failing,” and clean energy “are the foundations of energy security and sovereignty.”
“There is no going back on renewables,” and urged countries to increase investment to meet climate targets by 2030.
“We are in the dawn of a new energy era. An era where cheap, clean, abundant energy powers a world rich in economic opportunity,” Mr. Guterres said.
Responding to concerns about economic loss from abandoning fossil resources, Dr Emmanuel Kofi Mbiah, Country Lead, Ocean Centres Ghana, said developing nations must embrace renewables to avoid being left behind.
“We must accelerate the pace towards renewable energy. The advantage is that we will not be affected by the geopolitics of the world,” he said.
New statistics released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show renewable capacity grew by over 15 per cent in 2024, though regional disparities persist.
Asia accounted for 71 per cent of new capacity, followed by Europe (12.3 per cent) and North America (7.8 per cent). Africa, Eurasia, Central America and the Caribbean jointly contributed just 2.8 per cent.
Africa increased its total renewable capacity by only 7.2 per cent, despite its potential and development needs.
Commenting on the findings, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said: “The renewable energy boom is transforming global energy markets, driving economies and creating vast investment opportunities.”
“However, the growing regional divide highlights that not everyone is benefiting equally from this transition. Countries and regions that attract substantial investment in renewables are seeing enhanced energy security, increased industrial activity, and new jobs, fueling broader socioeconomic development.
“Bridging the divide and closing the investment gap between countries and regions is critical. It requires targeted policies, international financing, and partnerships that unlock capital and technology where they are needed most.
“By aligning investment flows with policy frameworks, we can ensure that the green transition becomes a powerful engine for resilience and sustainable economic growth worldwide,” Mr. La Camera added.
Source: GNA
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