Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2024

Alice Rush

Buildings account for about 40% of global CO2 emissions, so it’s no wonder why so much focus goes toward green building systems and reduced emissions from corporate structures. Reducing this structural carbon footprint can help counter climate change and push us toward the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and other climate action pacts.

To help you plan and work toward lowering emissions from corporate buildings, you can look to a GHG emissions reduction audit checklist for building owners. These audit checklists and GHG inventory management can all help you reach your carbon emissions goals.

Continue reading for more about these audits and the actions you can take to reduce your building’s emissions.

How Do You Reduce GHG in Buildings?

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions) in buildings starts when construction begins and continues throughout the building’s lifespan. Let’s review how to reduce emissions in both stages to minimize a building’s environmental impact.

GHG Emissions Reduction Audit Checklist for Building Owners During Construction

Starting on the right foot regarding GHG emissions reductions for building owners begins at the construction phase. Of course, none of this will apply if we’re talking about an existing building. However, if you’re constructing a new building, these tips can help lower the carbon footprint of erecting a new building.

Reuse Old Buildings

Old Buildings Recycle Rennovate to Control Emissions source

Instead of commissioning a new building, you can reduce emissions by reusing an old building. In fact, by doing this, you can save 50% to 75% of the embodied carbon emissions — the emissions associated with the materials and construction process — relative to new construction.

So, when considering a new building, think to yourself, “Is there an existing building we can renovate to fit our needs?” If so, you can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by rehabilitating the old building. Plus, you can use some of the character in older commercial buildings to your advantage in the design phase.

Remember, that when reusing older buildings, you’ll likely have some extra work for efficiency improvements, but the emissions savings will easily offset that need.

Use Low-Carbon Concrete

Concrete production isn’t known for its GHG emissions, but its sheer weight and the amount that goes into a new building make it the most significant embodied carbon source in many projects. In fact, cement accounts for a whopping 7% of all global emissions and 50% to 85% of the embodied carbon in a building project.

You can reduce your building’s carbon footprint by opting for lower-emission concrete, such as those with fly ash, slag, or calcined clays. You can even opt for lower-strength concrete where it makes sense.

Limit Carbon-Heavy Materials

Materials with big carbon footprints, such as metals, plastic, and foam, can be a part of the construction process but seek low-carbon alternatives where possible to help with the decarbonization of your project.

So, consider a wooden instead of a steel structure to reach your building’s GMG emissions reduction goals. Or maybe opt for wooden siding instead of vinyl.

Reuse Materials

During the construction or renovation process, don’t immediately scrap all the old materials. Many of those materials, such as metal, bricks, concrete, and wood, are reusable. And each item you reuse directly reduces your project’s emission factors. Plus, it’s a more cost-effective way to build.

Focus on Recycled Materials

Recycled materials can help greatly lower the GHG emissions in your building or renovation project. For example, new steel can have five times the carbon footprint of recycled steel. On top of lowering your carbon footprint, recycled materials are often less expensive than new materials.

Minimize Finished Materials

Finishings like vinyl flooring or carpeting add to the carbon footprint of your project. Instead of going with these finishings, choose materials that don’t need finishings, such as polished concrete for the floors.

GHG Emissions Reduction Audit Checklist for Building Owners After Construction

After construction, you are still responsible for keeping the ongoing building emissions as low as possible, whether through improved energy efficiency, reduced waste, or improved sustainability. Let’s review some action plans building owners can take to ensure they improve their energy conservation and the building’s ongoing GMG emissions remain low.

Update Heating and Cooling

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) make up 40% to 60% of all building carbon emissions, so this area is ripe for cutting. First, ensure you have an efficient system installed, such as some of the newer passive heating and cooling setups.

It’s also a good idea to have a programmable system. You can program it to a warmer setting during off-hours and a comfortable setting during occupancy hours.

Also, most buildings have outdoor air ventilation to keep the inside fresh, but the issue is this system runs constantly and always needs to be heated or cooled. You can counter this by installing air-quality sensors that detect when ventilation is necessary and activate this system only when needed.

This will help reduce your energy consumption, lower overall energy costs, and shrink your building’s footprint.

Perform Lighting Upgrades

Lighting Upgrades Lights on Ceiling of Warehouse source

Up to 40% of a commercial building’s energy consumption goes toward lighting, making this another prime target for reducing building emissions and adding in some cost savings.

Some ways to immediately lower the carbon footprint of your lighting is to install smart lights that only turn on when an area is in use and to replace all inefficient incandescent lights with more eco-friendly LED lighting. You can also add some daylighting to certain areas of the building, taking advantage of the greenest of all lights — the sun.

Install Renewable Energy

Offset some or all of your buildings’ energy use by installing renewable energy, such as solar panels. These energy efficiency measures may have significant upfront expenses, but federal and local government incentives and overall electricity savings can help make up for this cost.

By installing green appliances, you can lower energy consumption and increase energy savings. For example, you can replace old and inefficient boilers and water heaters with more efficient solar water heaters to lower electricity or natural gas usage when generating hot water. You can even swap old hard-wired ventilation fans with solar-powered ones to improve energy performance.

Reduce Water Waste

Sustainable water use can also go a long way in reducing your environmental impact and cutting operational costs. Some ways to help lower water use and waste include retrofitting low-flow water fixtures, reclaiming water systems for non-potable water recycling, and collecting rainwater for use in on-site irrigation and decorative water features.

How Do You Conduct a GHG Inventory?

First, what is a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ), it is “a list of emission sources and the associated emissions quantified using standardized methods.”

The EPA outlines the GHG inventory development process in four steps: scope and plan, collect and quantify data, create a GHG inventory management plan, and set targets, track, and report. Let’s review these four steps in more detail.

Step 1: Scope and Plan

To conduct a GHG inventory, you start by reviewing the organization’s GHG accounting methods and how it reports on these emissions. The organization and its stakeholders must then determine the organization’s emissions boundaries, select a base year to start from, and consider bringing in a third party to verify the improvements.

Step 2: Collect and Quantify Data

In the second step, you’ll identify all the GHG data required and the preferred data-collection methods. Then, you’ll develop procedures, tools, and guidance that adhere to these requirements. After that, gather and review all the facility data, such as electricity and natural gas consumption from the baseline year you chose, and use estimation to fill in any data gaps. From there, you can calculate your emissions.

Step 3: Create a GHG Inventory Management Plan

Next, you‘ll create formal data collection procedures and document processes in the inventory management plan. This will include all institutional, managerial, and technical arrangements made for data collection, inventory preparation, and implementation of steps to manage inventory quality.

This management system ensures a systematic process is in place to help prevent and correct errors and identify where investments net the greatest improvements in inventory quality. However, this system’s main focus is to ensure the credibility of the organization’s GHG inventory data using five key GHG accounting principles, which we’ll cover later.

Overall, your inventory management plan will have seven key steps:

Create an inventory quality team.
Create a quality management plan.
Perform generic quality tests.
Perform source-specific quality tests.
Review final inventory estimates and reports.
Institutionalize formal feedback loops.
Report, document, and archive data.

Step 4: Set Targets, Track, and Report

With the process in place, it’s now time to set your building-emissions-reduction targets relative to the base year you selected and, if you like, bring in a third party to verify your targets are attainable and helpful. You’ll then report all data as needed, publish a public GHG target report, and track your progress toward effective energy management and emissions reductions.

What Is the Standard for GHG Accounting?

Greenhouse gas emissions accounting and reporting must be based on five key principles. The principles are as follows:

Relevance: The GHG inventory must appropriately reflect the company’s GHG emissions and serve internal and external users’ decision-making needs.
Completeness: The organization must account for and report all sources of GHG emissions and activities within the chosen boundaries. It must also disclose and justify any GHG emissions it excluded.
Consistency: An organization’s methodologies must remain consistent to allow accurate and meaningful GHG emission comparisons.
Transparency: Address all relevant issues factually and coherently using a clear audit trail. If relevant assumptions are used, the organization must disclose them and make appropriate references.
Accuracy: Ensure the GHG emissions quantification is neither over nor under the actual emissions and that uncertainties are reduced as much as possible. The organization must also ensure sufficient accuracy so users can decide based on the reported information’s integrity.

How Do You Measure GHG Emissions in a Building?

Emissions from a building can come in all three scopes: scope one, scope two, and scope three. When calculating GHG emissions from a building, you must consider all three scopes, which can make it tricky.

Scope one emissions are relatively simple to track, as these are direct GHG emissions, such as burning fossil fuels. To calculate GHG emissions in this scope, review resource consumption on utility bills, and use a calculator to determine the GHG emissions that amount of consumption made.

Scope two emissions are indirect GHG emissions that stem from the building’s energy usage from the electrical grid. So, if your company’s electricity comes from a coal-fired plant, this would include your building’s share of that plant’s emissions based on your energy consumption.

You can estimate your scope two emissions using a GHG emissions calculator and the building information, such as square feet. Keep in mind, getting a precise number is generally not possible because many power grids include multiple energy sources, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, and solar.

Finally, scope three emissions include GHG emissions from all other sources, including the supply chain and other business operations that are not within the organization’s control. In terms of a building, this can include all embodied carbon too.

Scope three emissions are difficult to track and are generally not in the organization’s control, for this reason, organizations normally aren’t required to report on them. However, monitoring, understanding, and reducing scope three emissions can help you create a green building.

Help Fight Global Warming by Auditing and Reducing Your Building’s GHG Emissions

GHG Emissions Concern Image of New Corporate Building source

Global warming and climate change are critical, and it’s time for everyone to chip in and do their part. This includes building owners reducing their buildings’ carbon footprints. Fortunately, GHG emissions reduction audit checklists for building owners can help in this process by giving you firm steps to follow and the data you need to successfully reduce your structural carbon footprint.

If you’re not yet ready to take on the task of reducing building emissions or already have and want to further decrease your corporate carbon footprint, we have options for you at Terrapass. Check out our voluntary carbon credits, and see how they can help offset any remaining corporate emissions, helping you attain or get closer to being a net-zero carbon emitter.

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Carbon Footprint

Fentanyl Threats, AI, and National Security – ARMR Sciences’ Unified Approach

Published

5 days ago

October 9, 2025

Alice Rush

* Disseminated on behalf of ARMR Sciences Inc.
* For Accredited Investors Only. Offered pursuant to Rule 506(c). Reasonable steps to verify accreditation will be taken before any sale.
PAID ADVERTISEMENT – SPONSORED CONTENT

Fentanyl is devastating American communities at a record pace, with more than 220 deaths every day. Synthetic opioids accounted for over 70,000 U.S. fatalities in 2023, and their impact now extends beyond public health into national security.

At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing in ways that could allow adversaries to design new synthetic drugs or bioweapons faster than regulators and security agencies can respond. Coupled with the political weight fentanyl carries in Washington, the U.S. faces a multidimensional challenge.

ARMR Sciences underscores why prevention, innovation, and leadership can align to shield America from this emerging and evolving threat.

Escalating National Security Concerns

Fentanyl’s extraordinary potency – up to 50 times stronger than heroin – makes even trace exposure lethal. Its supply chains cross borders, complicating law enforcement and fueling instability at home.

ARMR Sciences emphasizes that enforcement alone cannot resolve the crisis. Without proactive prevention strategies, the nation risks a deepening cycle of addiction, death, and weakened resilience.

Technology at the Crossroads

AI has the potential to transform healthcare and logistics, but also carries risks of misuse. Researchers showed that advanced AI models could generate tens of thousands of psychoactive compound blueprints in just hours – a dangerous acceleration of synthetic chemistry.

National security leaders, including AI pioneers, warn that adversaries could exploit these tools. ARMR Sciences argues for robust biodefense strategies that include strict controls on sensitive algorithms, enhanced detection systems, and proactive investment in prevention technologies.

Political Pressure and Policy Response

The fentanyl crisis has become a defining issue in U.S. politics, shaping debates on border security, healthcare, and law enforcement funding. Deaths have risen by more than 20% annually since 2019, amplifying public and political demands for action.

ARMR Sciences emphasizes that bipartisan cooperation and evidence-based policymaking are essential to prevent partisan gridlock. Recognizing fentanyl as both a health and security issue can unite leaders behind more effective prevention measures.

ARMR Sciences – A Prevention-Focused Framework

Across each dimension – fentanyl’s deadly toll, AI’s potential misuse, and the political battle for solutions – ARMR Sciences underscores a common theme: prevention is the most effective defense. This means deploying early warning systems, advancing detection capabilities, integrating data-driven tools, and strengthening community resilience before crises escalate.

It also means ensuring that AI innovation develops with responsible guardrails, while national security agencies adapt to evolving synthetic threats. Prevention is not passive; it requires deliberate action, investment, and leadership.

So, Why Should Investors Pay Attention to ARMR’s Solution?

For investors, ARMR represents an opportunity to back a company working to address the convergence of fentanyl’s deadly impact, AI’s potential misuse, and the urgent need for prevention.

Its platform is built on years of defense-backed research and is advancing innovative biotechnology programs:

Seven years of DoD-supported science established the foundation of ARMR’s platform
Lead candidate ARMR-100 blocked 92% of fentanyl from entering the brain in preclinical (animal) studies
A $30M private raise is currently underway
Plans for a targeted exchange listing in 2026 are in place, subject to market conditions

By investing in this round, investors have a chance to support ARMR as it works to build a potentially category-defining role in AI-powered biodefense.

* This is a paid advertisement for ARMR’s private offering. Please read the details of the offering at InvestARMR.com for additional information on the company and the risk factors related to the offering.

* For Accredited Investors Only. This offering is made pursuant to Rule 506(c) of Regulation D. All purchasers must be accredited investors, and the issuer will take reasonable steps to verify accredited status before any sale. Investing involves high risk, including the potential loss of your entire investment.

* For investors from Canada: This advertisement forms part of the issuer’s marketing materials and is incorporated by reference into the issuer’s Offering Memorandum/Private Placement Memorandum under NI 45-106. Investors must receive and review the OM/PPM and execute the prescribed Form 45-106F4 Risk Acknowledgement before subscribing.

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Carbon Footprint

Solar Now the World’s Cheapest Energy, Powering the Clean Transition

Published

5 days ago

October 9, 2025

Alice Rush

Solar energy has officially claimed the title of the world’s most affordable source of electricity. According to new research from the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), solar power now costs as little as £0.02 per kilowatt-hour in the sunniest regions.

The study, published in Energy and Environmental Materials, highlights how solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has transformed from a niche innovation into the backbone of the global clean energy revolution.

As countries race to cut carbon emissions and combat climate change, the rapidly falling cost of solar power is unlocking access to clean energy on an unprecedented scale.

Solar Becomes the Cornerstone of a Low-Carbon Future

Professor Ravi Silva, co-author of the study and Director of the ATI, emphasized that even in less sunny nations like the UK, solar power has become the most cost-effective option for large-scale generation.

He precisely noted,

“Even here in the UK, a country that sits 50 degrees north of the equator, solar is the cheapest option for large-scale energy generation. Globally, the total amount of solar power installed passed 1.5 terawatts in 2024 – twice as much as in 2020 and enough to power hundreds of millions of homes. Simply put, this technology is no longer a moonshot prospect but a foundational part of the resilient, low-carbon energy future that we all want to bring to reality.”

This milestone shows that solar energy is no longer experimental. It’s a proven cornerstone of the low-carbon future the world is building toward.

Alongside solar, the cost of lithium-ion batteries—key to storing renewable power—has dropped by a staggering 89% since 2010. This sharp decline has made solar-plus-storage systems a competitive alternative to conventional gas-fired power plants.

Solar panel price

Global Solar Costs Fall Over 80% in a Decade

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global weighted-average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar PV dropped by over 80% between 2010 and 2023. In sun-rich regions, it now costs as little as $0.03 per kilowatt-hour—making it the cheapest source of new electricity generation worldwide.

This steep decline stems from a mix of technological, economic, and policy factors. Breakthroughs in solar cell efficiency, bifacial modules, and tracking systems have dramatically boosted energy output.

Also, competitive auctions and long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) have made solar development more transparent and efficient. Industry experience has also cut costs for installation and maintenance.

Today, solar PV is cheaper than coal, gas, and even wind in many markets, shifting the question from “Why choose renewables?” to “How fast can we deploy them?”

Levelized Cost of Energy Comparison—New Build Renewable Generation

Cost of renewable solar — Source: Lazards Report

China’s Role in Falling Clean Energy Costs

Meanwhile, bigger economies, especially from large-scale manufacturing in China, have lowered hardware and installation costs.

Bloomberg also expects the cost of clean energy technologies, i.e., solar, wind, and battery storage, to drop further in 2025. It could be falling 2–11% and breaking last year’s records. In almost every part of the world, new solar and wind farms are now cheaper to build and operate than new coal or gas plants

Significantly, China’s overcapacity in clean tech has led some countries to impose import tariffs, temporarily slowing cost declines. Still, BNEF expects levelized costs for clean energy to fall 22–49% by 2035, keeping renewables on track for long-term growth.

Battery storage costs dropped a third in 2024 to $104/MWh, driven by oversupply from slower EV sales, with prices expected to cross $100/MWh in 2025.
Fixed-axis solar farms fell 21% globally, while wind and solar generation costs are projected to decline another 4% and 2%. It ensures clean energy remains cheaper than fossil fuels.

clean energy costs solar — Source: Bloomberg

ALSO READ: Renewable Energy Investment Reaches Record High as China Operates World’s Biggest Solar Farm

Storage Revolution: Solar Power Around the Clock

The global energy storage boom has turned solar from an intermittent resource into a 24-hour power solution. It’s because of the massive cost reductions in batteries, solar-plus-storage systems can now compete head-to-head with gas-fired plants.

However, challenges remain in connecting large volumes of solar power to existing grids. Regions like California and China have already experienced energy curtailment due to grid congestion when solar output exceeds demand.

Dr. Ehsan Rezaee, co-author of the University of Surrey study, noted that “smart grids, artificial intelligence forecasting, and stronger regional interconnections will be essential to maintain power system stability as renewable adoption grows.”

Global Policy Boosts vs. U.S. Uncertainty

Supportive policy frameworks are key to sustaining solar’s momentum. In Europe, the Green Deal and RePowerEU initiatives have simplified permitting and set aggressive renewable targets.

India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, meanwhile, is strengthening local solar manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports. These measures are not only cutting carbon emissions but also advancing energy security, job creation, and economic growth.

International partnerships, such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), continue to drive collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, particularly in developing nations that stand to benefit most from affordable solar energy.

OBBBA: Dimming the Sunshine

However, the story is slightly different in the U.S. In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which speeds up the phase-out or early termination of most renewable energy tax credits and clean energy incentives established under the IRA.

As a result, U.S. clean energy incentives are being rapidly scaled back, with many tax credits set to expire or face new restrictions and deadlines, creating significant uncertainty for investors and project developers.

RELATED: Trump Ends Era of ‘Unreliable Green Energy’—Wind and Solar Subsidies Scrapped

Breakthrough Technologies Drive the Next Wave

Solar technology innovation is accelerating at record speed. Researchers at the University of Sydney recently achieved a world-first breakthrough with a 16 cm² triple-junction perovskite solar cell delivering 23.3% efficiency for large-area devices. A smaller version reached 27.06% efficiency—the highest globally—and retained 95% performance after 400 hours of continuous operation.

Perovskite solar cells could revolutionize the market by boosting energy output by up to 50% without expanding land use. They can be made as thin, flexible films at lower temperatures than traditional silicon panels, cutting production costs significantly. Over the past decade, perovskite efficiency has soared from 3% to over 25%, with tandem cells poised to exceed 30%. These innovations will further drive down solar costs and expand applications across rooftops, vehicles, and portable systems.

Solar Dominates Future Renewable Growth

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global renewable capacity will double by 2030—adding 4,600 gigawatts (GW), equivalent to the combined power generation capacity of China, the EU, and Japan.

Solar PV will account for nearly 80% of this growth, followed by wind, hydropower, and bioenergy.

According to DNV’s latest Energy Transition Outlook, global solar capacity is expected to surpass 3,000 GW by the end of 2025, with China holding 47% and Europe 20%. It further highlights:

Solar already generates about 10% of the world’s electricity and is projected to reach 20% by 2029 and 40% by 2045.
Behind-the-meter (BTM) solar used by households and businesses is also on the rise and is expected to make up 30% of total solar generation by 2060.
Wind power is projected to nearly double to over 2,000 GW by 2030, but solar remains the lowest-cost option in most markets.

India is emerging as the second-fastest renewables market after China, advancing its 2030 targets. Expanded auctions and rapid rooftop solar growth contribute to the solar boom.

However, the world still falls short of the COP28 goal to triple renewable capacity by 2030, achieving about a 2.6-fold increase from 2022 levels. Closing this gap will require continued investment, innovation, and political will.

Building a Resilient Solar Future

As solar continues to dominate the global energy landscape, integration challenges must not be ignored. Expanding transmission networks, deploying digital grid management tools, and investing in advanced materials will be crucial.

Professor Silva emphasizes that sustained policy backing and continued innovation will determine how quickly the world transitions to a clean, resilient energy future.

The Renewable Energy Institute applauds solar’s rise as the cheapest source of electricity and continues to provide accredited training to build the skills needed to sustain this momentum.

Thus, from record-low costs to record-breaking efficiency, solar energy is reshaping the global energy system faster than anyone imagined. Its combination of affordability, scalability, and innovation is driving the clean energy transition forward.

The question now isn’t if solar will dominate, but how quickly the world can harness its full potential.

LATEST: Microsoft Expands Japan’s Green Grid with Shizen Energy’s 100 MW Solar Push

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Carbon Footprint

Renewables 2025: How China, the US, Europe, and India Are Leading the World’s Clean Energy Growth

Published

6 days ago

October 9, 2025

Alice Rush

The world’s renewable energy sector has entered a new phase of record growth. According to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2025 report, global renewable power capacity grew by more than 510 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 — the fastest increase ever recorded. Another 520 GW is expected to be added in 2025, pushing renewables to account for over 90% of all new global power capacity.

Solar and wind dominate this growth. By 2025, solar will account for nearly three-quarters of new installations. This growth comes from cheaper technology, improved grid integration, and supportive policies. Wind power is also recovering after a slowdown in 2022–2023, supported by new offshore projects in Europe, China, and the United States.

The IEA says the world’s total renewable capacity will reach nearly 5,800 GW by 2025, up from around 4,200 GW in 2023. That means renewables now generate about 30% of global electricity and are on track to reach 42–45% by 2030.

Renewable electricity capacity additions by technology

Four regions — China, Europe, the United States, and India — are responsible for almost 90% of this global expansion. Each is moving at a different pace, but together they are transforming how the world produces and consumes energy.

Renewable electricity capacity additions by country

Europe: Accelerating the Energy Transition

Europe continues to lead in energy policy and innovation. In 2024, the European Union added more than 70 GW of new renewable capacity, driven mainly by solar. This is a record year. It shows the bloc’s goal to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels. They aim to meet their Green Deal target of a 55% emissions reduction by 2030.

Solar capacity across the EU doubled between 2020 and 2024, reaching over 300 GW, while wind capacity passed 220 GW. The IEA predicts that Europe will add 450 GW of renewables from 2025 to 2030. This will raise the total capacity to almost 870 GW by the end of the decade.

EU installed renewable capacity in 2024 and 2030

Much of this growth is tied to the REPowerEU plan, which aims to speed up permitting and expand rooftop solar. Offshore wind is gaining popularity. Countries like Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands are investing in North Sea projects.

Despite progress, Europe faces challenges. Delays in grid expansion and limited local manufacturing capacity for wind turbines have created supply bottlenecks. Even so, strong policy support and high carbon prices still make renewables the best choice for power generation.

United States: Policy Support and Private Investment Drive Expansion

The United States is entering a period of major renewable growth, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and record private investment. The IEA expects the U.S. to add around 400 GW of new renewable capacity by 2030, effectively doubling its current base.

In 2024, U.S. solar installations rose by nearly 40%, reaching 45 GW for the year. Solar now accounts for the largest share of new capacity additions. Wind power also recovered, with onshore and offshore projects expanding in Texas, California, and along the East Coast.

Solar PV and wind capacity additions in US

Renewables currently generate about 26% of U.S. electricity, up from 22% in 2022. The IEA projects this share will climb to over 40% by 2030, driven by federal tax incentives and falling technology costs.

RELATED: America to See a Surge in Renewable Capacity in 2024

Battery storage is another fast-growing sector. Storage capacity doubled between 2023 and 2024, helping stabilize variable solar and wind output. The IRA’s clean energy credits could draw over $400 billion in investments by 2032. This boost will help generate energy and support U.S. manufacturing of solar panels and turbines.

Challenges remain. The U.S. needs to modernize its grid and streamline permitting for transmission lines to connect renewable projects to demand centers. But the direction is clear — renewables are becoming the backbone of America’s energy system.

China: The Global Powerhouse of Renewables

China remains the undisputed leader in renewable energy growth. The IEA projects that China will account for about 60% of all new renewable capacity added worldwide by 2030.

In 2024 alone, China installed more than 260 GW of new renewables — more than the rest of the world combined. Solar made up the majority of this, with over 190 GW of solar capacity added during the year.

Wind power grew by 60 GW. China kept building big onshore and offshore projects in Inner Mongolia, coastal areas, and deserts.

Monthly solar PV and wind capacity additions in China

China now has an estimated 1,400 GW of total renewable capacity, representing about half of the global total. Renewables already supply more than 35% of China’s electricity, up from 27% in 2020.

Government policy is the key driver. China aims to reach 1,200 GW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2030, a target it is likely to achieve five years early. The country’s large manufacturing base keeps equipment prices low globally. This helps other regions grow their clean energy fleets.

Still, integration challenges persist. Some provinces face grid congestion and curtailment — when renewable power can’t be used due to transmission limits. The IEA recommends that China continue to invest in grid upgrades and flexible storage systems to handle its rapid growth.

SEE MORE: China’s Renewable Energy Boom: A Record-Breaking Shift or Still Chained to Coal?

India: The Fastest-Growing Emerging Market for Renewables

India is now the fastest-growing renewable energy market among developing economies. The IEA expects India’s renewable capacity to nearly double between 2023 and 2030, expanding from around 190 GW to 360–380 GW.

renewable net capacity additions India

Solar energy is leading the charge. In 2024, India added more than 17 GW of solar capacity, supported by large auctions and declining costs. Wind capacity also grew modestly, and new hybrid projects combining solar and wind are improving reliability.

The government’s goal is ambitious: 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, which would cover about 50% of total power demand. India is also expanding its domestic solar manufacturing base to reduce dependence on imports.

Hydropower and bioenergy continue to play supporting roles, particularly in rural electrification. The IEA reports that renewable energy in India cuts over 250 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. This makes India a major player in global emission reductions, second only to China.

However, financing and grid infrastructure remain key hurdles. The report notes that India needs annual clean energy investments of about $60–70 billion through 2030 to meet its targets.

READ MORE: India Achieves 50% Non-Fossil Fuel Power Milestone: Solar Shines Bright

The chart below compares renewable energy capacity in 2024 vs. 2030 projections for the four key regions, based on the IEA Renewables 2025 report.

renewable energy capacity by region IEA report — Data source: IEA Report

It clearly shows China’s dominant position, followed by steady growth in Europe and the U.S., and rapid expansion in India’s renewable capacity by the end of the decade.

The Decade of Clean Power: A Turning Point for Global Energy

The combined momentum of China, Europe, the United States, and India is reshaping global energy markets. Together, these four regions will account for almost 90% of all renewable capacity growth by 2030.

The pie chart shows each region’s share of total global renewable capacity additions from 2024 to 2030, based on the IEA forecast. It also shows how dominant China remains in driving renewable expansion, while Europe, the U.S., and India together account for about one-third of the world’s clean-energy growth.

share of global renewable capacity additions 2030 IEA 2025 report — Data source: IEA Report

Global renewable electricity capacity is expected to surpass 6,200 GW in 2025 and reach 8,300 GW by 2030 — roughly triple the total in 2015. Solar will remain the dominant source, followed by wind and hydropower.

Yet challenges persist. The IEA warns that grid constraints, permitting delays, and uneven financing could slow progress in developing economies. To stay on track for the net-zero pathway, annual renewable additions must rise to around 800 GW per year by 2030.

Still, the direction is clear. The world is entering a decade where clean power becomes the main driver of growth, investment, and energy security. The actions of these four key players will determine how fast the transition happens and how close we come to a truly sustainable global energy system.