The United Nations has released a new report celebrating major progress in renewable energy since the 2015 Paris Agreement triggered a global energy transformation. According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, renewable energy now nearly matches fossil fuels in installed power capacity worldwide.
In 2023, nearly all new power capacity additions came from renewables. Every continent added more clean energy than fossil fuel-based energy sources.
CLEAN ENERGY IS FUELING GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
Clean energy is no longer just about sustainability—it now drives significant economic expansion. In 2023 alone, it accounted for 10% of global GDP growth.
Country-level figures are even more impressive: the sector fueled 5% growth in India, 6% in the U.S., and 20% in China. The European Union reported the highest share—33% of its 2023 GDP growth came from renewable energy development and deployment across its member states.
CLEAN ENERGY JOBS NOW OUTNUMBER FOSSIL FUEL JOBS
Today, the clean energy sector provides jobs to nearly 35 million people worldwide. It officially surpasses the number of jobs in the fossil fuel industry.
As Secretary-General Guterres noted, “This is not just a climate necessity—it’s a global economic opportunity. Clean energy is the smart choice for jobs and growth.” Renewables are becoming more cost-effective. They are scalable now, making them attractive for both private investors and public energy planners across all regions.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE DATA: A PILLAR FOR CLEAN ENERGY RELIABILITY
Clean energy systems like solar, wind, and hydropower rely heavily on climate stability. These systems also depend on predictable environmental patterns. However, both are shifting rapidly.
As climate extremes grow more intense, energy systems face new threats. This makes integrating weather, water, and climate services into planning absolutely essential. Roberta Boscolo from the WMO said, “Energy systems must evolve into intelligence-driven networks that can anticipate, adapt, and survive climate extremes.”
WMO SUPPORTS COUNTRIES WITH CLIMATE-ENERGY INSIGHTS
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) plays a central role in helping nations build climate-resilient renewable energy systems through data, forecasts, and analytics.
WMO’s Annual Climate-Energy Assessments, created with IRENA, track changes in renewable energy output compared to climate baselines. The 2024 edition releases in August 2025.
These assessments help energy planners better understand how shifting climate patterns affect solar, wind, hydropower, and energy demand across key global regions.
LOCALIZED RENEWABLE ENERGY ATLASES EMPOWER DEVELOPING NATIONS
WMO is also helping developing countries create high-resolution renewable energy atlases. These are tailored to local conditions for wind, solar, and hydropower deployment.
These atlases combine satellite observations, reanalysis datasets (like Europe’s ERA5), and climate projections using advanced meteorological modeling techniques. The goal is to bridge global data with local action. This enables nations to plan energy transitions based on their unique weather and climate realities.
A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE IS NOW WITHIN REACH
The UN report makes one thing clear. The clean energy revolution is well underway. It’s no longer a vision but a fast-accelerating reality.
However, to ensure reliability and equity, clean energy systems must be supported by accurate, real-time weather and climate intelligence on every continent. With coordinated global efforts and climate-smart policies, a secure and sustainable energy future is both achievable and economically advantageous for all.