The UN Energy Transition Report 2025 highlights a historical turning point: the world is experiencing record-breaking growth in renewables, outpacing fossil fuels as the dominant source of new electricity. Solar and wind are now the least expensive options in nearly every region, with solar photovoltaic (PV) generation costs dropping to 4.3 cents/kWh—41% lower than the cheapest fossil fuel alternative. Between 2015 and 2024, 96% of newly installed solar PV and onshore wind capacity beat coal and gas plants for cost.

Accelerating Progress in Solar and Renewables

Renewables supplied 92.5% of all new global power capacity additions in 2024 and accounted for 74% of electricity generation growth. The total installed renewable capacity increased by 140% (about 2,600 GW), while fossil fuel growth slowed to just 16%. Solar's rapid expansion saw more than three-quarters of new renewable capacity coming from solar alone, with China, the USA, India, and Brazil leading the charge. This remarkable cost decline and exponential deployment of renewables and electric vehicles are driving a virtuous cycle of further adoption, technological improvement, and investment.

Looking for a solar PV system or battery storage upgrade? Contact Atlantic Renewables—our engineers are leading the UK’s transition to clean energy with expert installations and personalised solutions.

Ten Years Since Paris Agreement Global Warming Trends and Renewable Targets

Since the Paris Agreement, global policy ambitions have progressed. The highest warming projections have been revised downward from nearly 4°C to around 3.1°C under current policies, but ambitions are needed to achieve the safer 1.5°C scenario. In 2025, renewables are projected to surpass coal-fired generation, and by 2029, solar PV will become the largest single source of renewable electricity globally.

Global climate milestones include 141 countries now setting net-zero targets, covering 76% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These commitments have driven innovation and adoption across the solar PV, wind, and electric vehicle sectors. Major advancements in battery storage technology—costs have fallen by 93% since 2010—enable the grid to accommodate higher shares of renewables.

Want an expert assessment on meeting your own net-zero goals? Atlantic Renewables are here to help UK homeowners and businesses plan integrated solar systems.

Key Clean Energy Statistics from the Report

• Installed renewable capacity surged 141% since 2015, now representing 46% of global power capacity (from 29%) and 32% of electricity generation
• Battery storage worldwide increased from 2 GW in 2015 to 89 GW in 2024
• Electric vehicle sales grew from just 0.5 million (1% of total car sales) in 2015 to over 17 million (20%) in 2024. In China, EVs now account for almost half of all new car sales.
• Global clean energy investments exceeded $2 trillion for the first time in 2024, more than double the value invested in fossil fuels.
• Renewable sector jobs reached 16.2 million (out of 34.8 million total clean energy jobs), with solar at the forefront of global employment growth.

Opportunities for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition

The report stresses that renewables can unlock vast social and economic benefits beyond emissions reductions. Investment in clean technologies boosts job creation and GDP—clean energy accounted for 10% of China’s GDP in 2024 and drove nearly one-third of European Union economic growth. The transition supports millions of new green jobs, improves air quality, and strengthens public health. Access to clean energy—especially in developing countries—remains an urgent priority, with solar mini-grids identified as the most effective solution for rural electrification.

Systematic adoption of renewables and energy efficiency leads to:

• 6.4% higher GDP, 3.5% more jobs, and 25% higher social welfare across Africa by 2050 (IRENA report).
• 3.4% higher GDP and 10% higher social welfare in Southeast Asia.

Atlantic Renewables is committed to delivering inclusive solar solutions—reach out for community projects or educational solar initiatives.

Persistent Barriers to Achieving Net Zero

Despite rapid progress, global fossil fuel use remains stubbornly high—dropping only modestly from 83% to 80% of primary energy supply over the last decade. Clean energy financing is a major bottleneck, especially in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). Less than one in five dollars of global clean energy investment flows to EMDEs outside China. Africa, with 20% of the world's population and 85% of the population lacking electricity access, receives just 2% of global renewables.

Other vital challenges include:

• High upfront capital costs and weak enabling policy frameworks.
• Grid bottlenecks, with 3,000 GW of renewable projects awaiting connection.
• Political resistance and lobbying by fossil fuel interests.
• Continued public subsidies for fossil fuel use, which dwarf investment in climate-friendly solutions.
• Supply chain vulnerabilities—with 88% of global solar manufacturing capacity in China, and critical minerals supply dominated by a handful of countries.

The UN calls for annual clean energy spending in developing countries to reach $1.4-1.9 trillion by 2030, a five-to-sevenfold increase from current levels, to meet Paris Agreement and SDG goals. Massive public-private mobilisation and international cooperation will be crucial.

Six Priority Actions for Policymakers

Outlined in the report, priority actions include:

1. Policy coherence, clarity, and certainty, with just transition roadmaps.
2. Investment in enabling infrastructure—grids, storage, and smart technologies.
3. Meeting new electricity demand with renewables, particularly for Big Tech and data centres.
4. Placing people and equity at the heart of the transition, ensuring universal energy access and social protection for affected workers.
5. Supercharging trade and investment cooperation, lowering tariffs on clean technologies and reforming treaties.
6. Dismantling structural barriers to finance—mobilising upgrades in global financial architecture, increasing concessional finance, and building local capacity.

For government white papers and new national energy strategies, review the UN Moment of Opportunity report.

Implications for the UK and Atlantic Renewables Clients

UK energy prices have demonstrated the value of renewables—households could have paid double absent solar and wind deployment in 2022. The push for decarbonisation, energy security, and cost savings mirrors the opportunities outlined for wider Europe and the world. Local investment in solar PV, battery storage, and smart grid infrastructure is essential for resilience, cost control, and job creation. As the UN report demonstrates, acting now delivers not only climate but economic and social wins.

Get in touch

Thinking about joining the energy transition? If you want trusted solar PV or battery storage advice, Atlantic Renewables’ team of experts is ready to help. Whether installing a new system or upgrading your existing solution, call us on 0161 207 4044 and take control of your energy future today!