UN Report: Clean Energy Surges Ahead, Driven by Innovation and Climate Intelligence

A landmark special report released by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres signals a seismic shift in the global energy landscape, detailing the monumental progress made since the 2015 Paris Agreement sparked a clean energy revolution. The report, supported by key UN agencies including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), offers an in-depth look at the renewable energy boom, its economic and employment benefits, and the critical role of climate data in accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels.

A Global Energy Transformation in Motion

In a powerful speech launching the report, Guterres emphasized that renewables are now nearly on par with fossil fuels in terms of global installed power capacity. He highlighted that:

• Nearly all new power capacity built in 2024 was from renewables.

• Every continent added more renewable energy than fossil fuels.

• Renewables generated almost one-third of global electricity in 2024.

The shift is not just environmental—it is economic. In 2023 alone, clean energy industries were responsible for 10% of global GDP growth. Regional contributions include:

• India: 5% of GDP growth

• United States: 6%

• China: 20%

• European Union: Nearly 33%

The clean energy sector now employs nearly 35 million people, surpassing fossil fuel employment worldwide. "Why? Because it makes economic sense," Guterres declared, calling the moment “a supercharged opportunity for a clean energy age.”

Climate Intelligence: The Backbone of Energy Security

A core theme of the report is the indispensable role of weather, water, and climate services in supporting renewable energy systems. Solar, wind, and hydropower are all climate-dependent and vulnerable to weather variability and extreme events. Integrating real-time and predictive climate data into national and local energy strategies is critical to building resilience and reliability.

WMO climate and energy lead Roberta Boscolo reinforced this point: “We must transition to intelligence-driven systems that anticipate, adapt, and thrive amid climate change. Weather, water, and climate services are mission-critical for powering a clean, reliable, and equitable energy future.”

Tools and Initiatives to Empower the Energy Transition

To operationalize this climate-intelligent approach, the WMO is spearheading several key initiatives:

1. Annual Climate-Energy Assessments

Co-developed with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), these assessments track the impact of climate trends on renewable energy potential and demand. The 2024 edition—due for release in August 2025—analyzes wind, solar, hydropower, and consumption patterns against the 1991–2020 climate baseline.

2. Customized Renewable Energy Atlases

Many developing countries lack the localized data needed to plan and implement clean energy systems effectively. The WMO is addressing this gap through tailored atlases that blend:

• ERA5 climate reanalysis from Europe

• Satellite imagery

• Ground-based observations

• Numerical weather prediction techniques

These atlases empower nations to act on precise, context-specific insights, boosting planning efficiency and reinforcing energy resilience.

Supporting a Net-Zero Future: WMO’s Broader Contributions

Guidelines for Net-Zero Transition

WMO has issued comprehensive guidance to help integrate climate services into renewable energy infrastructure, ensuring policy and planning are aligned with future climate realities.

Online Training for Energy Professionals

A new self-paced course trains energy and climate professionals to use climate data and tools in decision-making. Real-world case studies equip participants with the practical skills needed to transform national energy strategies.

Energy & Meteorology Portal

The WMO’s knowledge hub for clean energy development includes:

• Knowledge Sharing: Training materials, data access, and best practices

• Action-Oriented Tools: The Global Energy Resilience Atlas, with Climate Hydro Risk Indices (CHRI) and soon-to-be-launched solar and wind indices

• Engagement and Networking: Features profiles of countries and organizations leading in climate-smart energy

A Critical Turning Point

The UN’s special report paints a clear picture: the clean energy transition is not a distant vision—it’s a rapidly unfolding reality. However, its continued success hinges on smart integration of climate data, international cooperation, and continued investment in sustainable technologies and systems.

As António Guterres concluded: “Let’s use this moment of momentum. Let’s supercharge the clean energy age—with intelligence, ambition, and unity.”