The global energy transition is progressing at an increasingly rapid pace. In 2024, the expansion of renewable electricity production capacities, in particular thanks to solar and wind power, has reached an unprecedented level. However, despite these notable advances, this transition remains insufficient to reverse the trend in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which continue to represent a major challenge for the global climate.
Unprecedented solar and wind deployment
The year 2024 marked a turning point in the production of electricity from renewable sources. In particular, the share of photovoltaic solar and wind energy has increased significantly, with production capacities expanding in many countries. The global market has seen exponential growth in installed capacity as massive investments have been directed towards renewable energy projects.
Solar PV, supported by favorable policies, technology cost reductions and increasing adoption in developing countries, has helped cover an increasingly larger share of the world’s electricity needs. By the end of 2024, global solar energy capacity is estimated at more than 1,000 gigawatts (GW), a symbolic threshold. Wind power, for its part, also recorded a notable increase, reaching almost 1,200 GW of installed capacity across the world, notably thanks to large offshore and onshore projects.
Major solar power producers like China, India and the United States have continued to invest heavily in the sector, with large-scale projects expected to play a crucial role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels. in the future. However, this rise in renewable energy is not enough to offset the current rate of global GHG emissions.
A persistent climate challenge: emissions remain high
Despite significant progress in increasing renewable electricity production capacity, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has not lived up to expectations. According to the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy-related CO2 emissions continued to increase in 2024. This phenomenon is due to several key factors: high energy demand world, the inertia of current energy systems and the difficulties of transition in certain regions heavily dependent on fossil fuels.
Indeed, although renewable energy plays a growing role in the global energy mix, coal, oil and natural gas continue to represent a significant share of global energy production. Developing countries, in particular, still face barriers to implementing large-scale renewable infrastructure, due to high upfront costs and technological limitations.
Progress but still insufficient effort
The deployment of renewable infrastructure on a global scale, while laudable, remains insufficient to respond to the climate emergency. According to the Paris Agreement and the recommendations of scientists, countries must achieve significant reductions in emissions in the coming years to limit global warming to 1.5°C. In 2024, although solar and wind projects have made good progress, global GHG emissions have still reached worrying levels, far from the target needed to avoid devastating climate impacts.
At the same time, recent studies highlight the need for accelerated investments in energy efficiency, research in green technologies, and the integration of these renewable energy sources into existing electricity networks. It is essential that governments, businesses and citizens adopt ambitious climate policies and stronger global commitment to transform the energy sector.
A promising future but requiring urgent action
The global energy transition has certainly made notable progress in 2024, in particular with the increase in solar and wind energy production capacities. However, the fight against climate change remains a major challenge. It is now imperative that the international community shifts gears and accelerates the transition to a low-carbon economy. To achieve this, more massive investments are needed in renewable energies, but also in the restructuring of energy infrastructure, in order to ensure a just and equitable transition for all regions of the world.
The road remains strewn with pitfalls, but the first steps towards a successful energy transition are undeniably underway. Solar and wind should continue to play a leading role, but they must be supported by bolder and more coherent action to truly hope to reverse the trend in global GHG emissions in the years to come.
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
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