Global Switch to Renewable Energy at Positive Tipping Point: UN

July 23, 2025

Two new United Nations reports released showed that the global switch to renewable energy has passed a “positive tipping point.” The report says that solar and wind power are leading the way. Both sources of natural energy are set to become even cheaper and more widespread in the future.

(3 Minutes Read)

UN officials still warned that the transition is not happening fast enough, especially in regions like Africa. The continent represented less than 2% of the new green energy capacity installed last year, despite having great electrification needs, blaming the high cost of capital for the Global South.

Two new United Nations reports released showed that the global switch to renewable energy has passed a “positive tipping point.” The report says that solar and wind power are leading the way. Both sources of natural energy are set to become even cheaper and more widespread in the future.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a speech at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, said the report showed the progress in non-conventional energy since the Paris Agreement was inked, a few decades ago.

Last year, 74% of the growth in electricity generated worldwide was from wind, solar and other green sources, according to the UN’s multi agency report, called “Seizing the Moment of Opportunity”. It found that 92.5% of all new electricity capacity added to the grid worldwide in 2024 came from renewables.

Guterres said that the world is at the dawn of a new energy era, marked by cheap, clean, abundant energy that powers economic opportunities. He also said that green energy investments reached US$2 trillion last year – about US$800 billion more than investments in fossil fuels.

UN officials still warned that the transition is not happening fast enough, especially in regions like Africa. The continent represented less than 2% of the new green energy capacity installed last year despite having great electrification needs, blaming the high cost of capital for the Global South.

Despite booming renewables, fossil fuel production also continues to rise due to increasing energy demands. Guterres called on tech firms to power data centres completely with renewables by 2030.