Using renewables for electricity, heating and cooling can help reduce demand for fossil fuels in buildings, transport and industry. The energy sector makes up the largest share of global electricity consumption and is the brightest spot for renewables, with strong growth for solar photovoltaics and wind in recent years. However, it is not enough – non-bioenergy renewables, such as geothermal and solar thermal energy, need to grow much faster than they have in order to achieve our target of net zero emissions by 2050.

Renewables generate more energy than they consume over their lifespans, with a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. This helps to reduce our dependence on imported energy and improve our climate security. The cost of renewables is also a key factor and is improving rapidly, making them more competitive against fossil energy sources.

Solar, wind and biomass energy are among the most widespread sources of renewables. They provide electricity to power homes and businesses, and heat buildings and industries, often with co-benefits. These technologies can be integrated into energy management systems to improve efficiency and reduce consumption, GHGs and waste.

Many countries have national targets and policies to promote the use of renewables in the energy sector. These include feed-in tariffs, which guarantee individuals and businesses above-market prices for the electricity they produce and supply back to the grid. These policies encourage private and commercial investment in renewables, allowing them to be built more quickly than fossil energy facilities.