The breakthrough agenda report

The breakthrough agenda report

The transition to clean energy and sustainable solutions is accelerating across many sectors, with unprecedented expansion in clean technologies such as solar PV and electric cars. Renewable electricity is now more affordable than fossil fuel-based electricity in a growing number of countries and contributes to more than 50% of electricity generation in around 30% of countries. Sales of electric passenger cars are growing exponentially and – if this rate continues – could by 2030 be comfortably in line with what is required under a scenario compatible with reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Yet, global emissions are still increasing, and the Nationally Determined Contributions that countries have put forward in UN climate change negotiations are not consistent with curbing temperature rise in line with international climate goals. The past year has also been notable for record temperatures, and extreme weather events are continuing to increase in frequency and intensity in many parts of the world. Action this decade will be crucial to head off the worst effects of climate change. Some of the solutions required to decarbonise certain sectors are not yet deployed at scale, and can take several years to develop, meaning first steps towards deployment are needed now. What’s more, investment in clean energy technologies and low-emission products and materials tends to be concentrated in advanced economies, and not in the countries undergoing the most rapid development and economic growth.