Renewable energy outpaces coal for electricity generation in historic first, report says – Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB

Global Energy Transition Report: Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals
Executive Summary
A landmark shift in the global energy landscape has been recorded in the first half of 2025, with renewable energy sources surpassing coal as the primary generator of electricity worldwide. This development marks a critical milestone in the pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The transition, driven largely by emerging economies, signifies a pivotal moment in reducing global reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
Key Findings and Alignment with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
The report from energy think tank Ember highlights substantial progress towards Target 7.2 of the SDGs, which aims to increase the global percentage of renewable energy. The primary findings include:
- Renewable Energy Share: Renewable sources, including solar, wind, and hydro, accounted for 34.3% of global electricity consumption.
- Coal Energy Share: Coal’s contribution fell to 33.1%, making it the second-largest source for the first time.
- Overall Coal Decline: Despite regional increases, global coal generation experienced a net decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year.
Impact on SDG 13 (Climate Action)
The displacement of coal by renewables is fundamental to combating climate change. The growth in solar and wind power generation exceeded the growth in global electricity demand, leading to a direct positive impact on climate goals.
- Emissions Reduction: The slight fall in fossil fuel use resulted in a corresponding decrease in global carbon dioxide emissions during the first half of the year.
- Tipping Point: Experts suggest the world is reaching a “tipping point” where renewable energy growth can consistently outpace demand growth, enabling a sustained decline in fossil fuel consumption and emissions, directly addressing the core objectives of SDG 13.
Regional Contributions and Progress on Global Goals (SDG 9 & SDG 17)
The report underscores a varied global landscape, highlighting how strategic investment in infrastructure and innovation (SDG 9) is driving the energy transition, while also revealing disparities that call for stronger global partnerships (SDG 17).
Leading Nations in Renewable Transition
- China: The nation is the primary driver of the global shift, accounting for 55% of the growth in solar generation. This strategic focus enhances its energy autonomy and supports global clean energy goals.
- Developing Economies: Countries like India have been instrumental in leading the switch to renewables, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable industrialization.
- Solar Records: Nations including Hungary, Pakistan, and Australia have set new records, generating 20% or more of their electricity from solar power, showcasing successful implementation of clean energy infrastructure.
Areas of Concern
- Western Consumption Patterns: In contrast to the global trend, the European Union and the United States increased their consumption of coal during this period.
- United States’ Share: The U.S. contributed only 14% to global solar generation growth, with potential policy shifts threatening to slow further development.
Challenges to Sustaining Momentum for SDG Targets
Despite positive trends, several challenges must be addressed to ensure continued progress towards a sustainable energy future.
- Rising Electricity Demand: The rapid growth of data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and other industrial needs is causing electricity demand to rise significantly, particularly in the U.S., testing the capacity of new renewable installations.
- Pace of Renewable Deployment: The central challenge is ensuring that the installation of wind, solar, and battery storage capacity can keep pace with or exceed demand growth. A failure to do so would necessitate continued or increased reliance on existing gas and coal plants.
- Infrastructure and Investment: While renewable energy is cheaper to operate, the initial capital investment for infrastructure remains a significant hurdle that requires strategic, long-term financial commitment, as demonstrated by China’s successful scale-up of solar technology.
Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article
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Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The article primarily addresses issues related to the global energy sector’s transition, which connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most relevant SDGs are:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: This is the central theme of the article. It focuses on the global shift towards renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro, and their increasing share in electricity generation, directly aligning with the goal of ensuring access to clean and sustainable energy for all.
- SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly links the rise of renewable energy to a reduction in fossil fuel use and a subsequent slight fall in global carbon dioxide emissions. This directly addresses the urgent need to combat climate change and its impacts.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The text highlights the critical role of investment in clean energy infrastructure, technological innovation in making solar panels cheaper, and the scaling up of renewable energy industries, particularly in countries like China.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The shift from finite fossil fuels like coal to renewable sources represents a fundamental change in production patterns towards greater sustainability and more efficient use of natural resources, which is a core principle of SDG 12.
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What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the information provided, several specific SDG targets can be identified:
- Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article’s main finding that “renewable energy has overtaken coal as the primary source of electricity around the world” and that “Renewable electricity use rose to 34.3% of global consumption” is a direct reflection of progress towards this target.
- Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article discusses how China scaled up solar technology “originally developed in the United States” and invested heavily in infrastructure, demonstrating the promotion of investment and technology scale-up.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article implies this target is being met in countries like China and India, which are described as leading “the charge in making the switch to renewable energies.” Conversely, it notes the potential for the U.S. to “sharply reduce clean-energy development,” which also relates to national policy decisions impacting climate action.
- Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The discussion of building new wind and solar plants, investing in “infrastructure that facilitates clean growth,” and China’s success in manufacturing cheaper solar panels are all examples of actions that contribute to this target.
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Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. The article provides specific data points for this indicator:
- The global share of renewable electricity reached 34.3%.
- Countries like Hungary, Pakistan, and Australia generated “20% or more of their electricity from solar power.”
- Indicator related to Fossil Fuel Reduction: The article provides data on the decline of coal, which serves as a proxy indicator for the success of clean energy adoption. It states that “coal’s use fell to 33.1%” and “global coal generation fell 0.6%.”
- Indicator related to Climate Action (13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year): The article directly mentions that “global carbon dioxide emissions fell slightly in the first half of the year,” which is a direct measure of progress in mitigating climate change.
- Indicator of Technological Innovation and Cost Reduction: The statement that “the cost of solar panels has fallen by well over 90%” serves as a powerful indicator of progress in making clean energy technology more accessible and affordable, supporting Target 7.a and Target 9.4.
- Indicator of National Contribution to Renewable Growth: The article provides country-specific contributions, such as “China has been the largest driver… accounting for 55% of global solar generation growth,” while the “United States’ share, by contrast, was just 14%.” These figures act as indicators of national efforts and investment levels.
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. The article provides specific data points for this indicator:
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. |
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SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. |
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable…with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. |
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. |
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Source: opb.org