KEY MESSAGES FOR DECISION MAKERS

KEY MESSAGES FOR DECISION MAKERS

Takeaways from the

RENEWABLES 2021 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

2021


EXECUTIVE DIRECTORRana Adib REN21

PRESIDENTArthouros Zervos National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)

REN2 1 MEMBERS

MEMBERS AT LARGEMichael EckhartMohamed El-AshryDavid HalesKirsty HamiltonPeter Rae

GOVERNMENTSAfghanistanAustria BrazilDenmarkDominican RepublicGermanyIndiaMexicoNorwayRepublic of KoreaSouth AfricaSpainUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of America

SCIENCE AND ACADEMIAAEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC)Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)Fundación Bariloche (FB)International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)International Solar Energy Society (ISES)National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russia (HSE)South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONSAfrica Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA)Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE)American Council on RenewableEnergy (ACORE)Associação Portuguesa de EnergiasRenováveis (APREN)Association for Renewable Energy ofLusophone Countries (ALER)Chinese Renewable Energy IndustriesAssociation (CREIA)Clean Energy Council (CEC)European Renewable EnergiesFederation (EREF)Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA)Global Solar Council (GSC)Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)Indian Renewable Energy Federation (IREF)International Geothermal Association (IGA)International Hydropower Association (IHA)Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa (RES4Africa) FoundationSolar Power EuropeWorld Bioenergy Association (WBA)World Wind Energy Association(WWEA)

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONSAsia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC)Asian Development Bank (ADB)ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE)European Commission (EC)Global Environment Facility (GEF)International Energy Agency (IEA)International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)World Bank (WB)

NGOSAssociation Africaine pour l'Electrification Rurale (Club-ER)CLASPClean Cooking Alliance (CCA)Climate Action Network International (CAN-I)Coalition de Ciudades Capitales de las Americas (CC35)Energy CitiesEuroheat & Power (EHP)Fundación Energías Renovables (FER)Global 100% Renewable EnergyGlobal Forum on Sustainable Energy (GFSE)Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET)Greenpeace InternationalICLEI – Local Governments for SustainabilityInstitute for Sustainable Energy Policies (ISEP)International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)Jeunes Volontaires pour l'Environnement (JVE)Mali Folkecenter (MFC)Power for AllRenewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)Renewable Energy Institute (REI)Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) SLOCAT Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon TransportSolar Cookers International (SCI)Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE)World Future Council (WFC)World Resources Institute (WRI)World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

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RENEWABLE ENERGYPOLICY NETWORK FOR THE 21st CENTURYREN21 is the only global renewable energy community of actors

from science, governments, NGOs and industry. We provide up-to-date

and peer-reviewed facts, figures and analysis of global developments

in technology, policies and markets. Our goal: enable decision-makers

to make the shift to renewable energy happen – now.

The most successful organisms, such as an octopus, have a decentralised intelligence and "sensing" function. This increases responsiveness to a

changing environment. REN21 incarnates this approach.

Our more than 2,000 community members guide our co-operative work.

They reflect the vast array of backgrounds and perspectives in society.

As REN21’s eyes and ears, they collect information and share intelligence,

by sending input and feedback. REN21 takes all this information to better

understand the current thinking around renewables and change norms.

We also use this information to connect and grow the energy debate with

non-energy players.

Our annual publications, the Renewables Global Status Report and

the Renewables in Cities Global Status Report, are probably the world’s

most comprehensive crowdsourced reports on renewables. It is a truly

collaborative process of co-authoring, data collection and peer reviewing.

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Making Renewable Energy a Key Performance Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05

Renewable Energy Shares and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Technologies for a Renewables Revolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

This document presents the overarching renewable energy trends and perspectives from 2021 so that policy makers and other decision makers can more easily understand the significance of the latest developments.

It outlines what is happening to drive the energy transition and details why it is not happening fast enough or as fast as possible. It draws on the meticulously documented data found in REN21’s Renewables 2021 Global Status Report. See the endnotes and methodological notes in the full report for further details, at

www.ren21.net/gsr.

KEY MESSAGES FOR DECISION MAKERS

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2020 – a year of new norms

The year 2020 was one of new norms. As the world witnessed the tragic impacts of a pandemic, communities also experienced the health and well-being benefits stemming from the sudden decline in the use of fossil fuels, such as higher air quality and bluer skies. People also understood, collectively, the importance of governments mobilising quickly in the face of a crisis – in response not only to the immediate public health challenge and the economic recession that followed, but also to longer-term crises related to air pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.

As a result, 2020 was also a year of accelerating ambition. The total number of national targets for achieving net zero emissions (including targets already in law, proposed and drafted) covered countries responsible for more than 80% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The public consensus increasingly reflects the emerging vision to move beyond fossil fuels, which are responsible for nearly 90% of CO2 emissions. Under pressure from citizens, civil society and the courts, countries are being forced to strengthen their own climate plans, while fossil fuel companies are losing legal and shareholder battles. At the same time, businesses are buying ever larger amounts of renewable energy.

Renewable energy is central to the solution, both to continue to fight climate change at scale and to overcome the post-pandemic economic recession. Growing commitments towards net zero emissions highlight a rising tide of awareness of the urgent action needed to address climate change and air pollution and to accelerate sustainable development. Rising ambition and economic recovery packages also provide an opportunity to channel needed funding to renewable energy and further accelerate the transition.

Rising ambition and

recovery packagesare an opportunity to channel needed funding to renewable energy and further accelerate the transition .

MAKING RENEWABLE ENERGY A KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

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80.3%Fossil fuels

80.2%Fossil fuels

11.0% Others

8.7%

11.2%

11.2%

8.7 % OthersModern

renewables

Modernrenewables

2019

Exajoules (EJ)

Theshare of

fossil fuels infinal energy demand barely changed over

one decade.

400

300

200

100

020192009

Wind/solar/biomass/geothermal/ocean power

Biofuels fortransport

4.2% 3.6% 2.4% 1.0%Biomass/solar/geothermal heat

Hydropower

80.3%Fossil fuels

80.2%Fossil fuels

11.0% Others

8.7%

11.2%

11.2%

8.7 % OthersModern

renewables

Modernrenewables

2019

Exajoules (EJ)

Theshare of

fossil fuels infinal energy demand barely changed over

one decade.

400

300

200

100

020192009

Hydropower

3.6%

4.2%

2.4% 1.0%Wind/solar/biomass/geothermal/ocean power

Biomass/solar/geothermal heat

Hydropower

Biofuels fortransport


Persistent Challenges for

Renewables

However, a heightened profile does not automatically translate into action and implementation. Obstacles that have prevented the growth of renewable energy in past years continued during 2020. They include the lack of integrated, cross-sectoral strategies to drive the transition; the lack of sufficient policy support and enforcement; persistent support for fossil fuels; the need for infrastructure development and increased affordability in some markets; and the need for more innovation in some sectors. Together, they have led to only a slow increase in the share of renewable energy in final energy demand.

At the same time, the world is burning more fossil fuels than ever. Since 2009, the share of fossil fuels in final energy consumption has remained the same, and global energy demand has expanded around 20%. Renewable energy meets just over 11% of global final energy demand – only a slight increase from around 9% a decade ago.

.

Estimated Renewable Share of Total Final Energy Consumption 2009 and 2019

Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding . This figure shows a comparison between two years across a 10-year span . The result of the economic recession in 2008 may have temporarily lowered the share of fossil fuels in total final energy consumption in 2009 . The share in 2008 was 80 .7% .

Source: Based on IEA data .

Renewable energy meets just over 11% of global final energy demand –

only a slight increase from around 9% a decade ago .

6

Renewable Share of Total Final Energy Consumption by Final Energy Use, 2018

Note: Data should not be compared with previous years because of revisions due to improved or adjusted methodology .

Source: Based on IEA data .

Heating and Cooling 51%

10.2% Renewable energy

27.1% Renewable

3.4%Renewableenergy energy

Transport 32% Power 17%

The share of renewables has increased only moderately each year despite tremendous growth in some renewable energy sectors. Renewables grew almost 5% per year between 2009 and 2019, outpacing growth in fossil fuels (1.7%). However, energy demand also grew significantly over the period. As a result, renewables accounted for only one-quarter of the total growth in the world’s use of energy.

Energy efficiency also faced challenges in 2020. The rate of improvement in energy intensity (a common indicator of energy efficiency) has been declining since 2015, and in 2020 the rate was half that of the previous two years.

The persistent share of fossil fuels, as well as increasing energy demand, underscore the complementary and fundamental roles of energy conservation and efficiency alongside renewables to increase the renewable share while meeting global energy needs. However, energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy are not enough by themselves; it also is necessary to leave fossil fuels in the ground and to phase out existing fossil fuel capacity.

Progress that has been made has occurred primarily in the power sector, where the share of renewables is highest. However, overall energy use in the power sector is much lower than energy consumed in other sectors, such as heating, cooling and transport. Together, these other sectors account for more than 80% of final energy demand, yet their renewable energy shares are much lower than for the power sector.

These sectors also saw more difficulty in 2020 than in past years. The uptake of modern renewables for heating and cooling progressed slowly, and consumption of renewable heat fell during the pandemic. Similarly, in contrast to previous years when the share of renewables showed some growth, albeit limited, the transport sector’s renewable energy share did not increase in 2020. The uptake of renewables in heating and transport is constrained by these sectors’ high dependence on fossil fuels, which is exacerbated by persistent fossil fuel subsidies, insufficient renewable energy policy support and enforcement, and slow developments in new technologies (such as advanced biofuels).

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At the same time, 2020 offered some bright spots. Although the early phase of the pandemic was a difficult period for renewables, new renewable power capacity hit a record increase globally. Renewables were the only source of electricity generation to experience a net increase. Investment in renewable power grew for the third consecutive year, and corporations continued to break records for sourcing renewable electricity. More countries are turning to electrification of heat with renewable energy, and although production of transport biofuels decreased, electric vehicle sales expanded, as did the linking of these vehicles to renewable electricity.

The status of renewable energy in 2020 shows that a structural shift from fossil fuels to renewables is required. A structural shift does not mean moderately increasing the share of renewable energy from one year to another. It does not mean gradually lowering the contribution of fossil fuels. It means transitioning from fossil fuels to a renewable energy-based system in all societal and economic activities. Targets, policies and investment are the tools on our workbench – and reaching significantly higher shares of renewable energy is the blueprint we must follow.

Reaching significantly

higher shares of renewable energy is the blueprint we must follow .

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Share of renewables in TFEC (%)

50

40

30

20

10

0

Share ofrenewable energy in TFEC in 2019

Target forrenewables in TFECfor year-end 2020

No target for 2020

| Saudi A

rabia*

| Russia

n Federa

tion*

| Republic

of Kore

a

| South Afric

a

| Japan

| Indon

esia

| Mex

ico

| China

| Austra

lia

| India

| Argentin

a

| United Stat

es

United Kingdom

| Turke

y

France

German

yIta

lyEU-27

| Canad

a

| Brazil

Renewable Energy Targets

Most of the world’s largest countries and greatest emitters of greenhouse gases lack clear, economy-wide objectives to shift to renewables in all sectors. Only five members of the G20 – the European Union (EU-27), France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom – had set 2020 targets to achieve a specific share of renewables in final energy use, and some were clearly not on track to achieve their own targets by year’s end.

Overall, 165 countries had targets in place to achieve certain levels of renewable energy by 2020. However, most of the targets were only for the power sector. In addition, these target-setters were

not always on track leading up to 2021. Overall, some 80 targets for 2020 had already been met, while the majority (134) had not yet been achieved, according to the latest data available.

Even when countries meet their commitments, they do not always set new ones to chart the path towards higher ambition. Only half of the countries with 2020 targets had set later more ambitious targets by year’s end. Worse still, most of the countries that have not set new targets had not yet even achieved their first. In short, countries are missing the mark and are failing to plan ahead to increase their ambition.

CALL TO ACTIONGovernments and businesses must set targets for

renewable energy in all sectors and build on them with new, bolder goals by the time they meet the original target.

Renewable Energy Shares and Targets G20 Countries, 2019 and 2020

9

0

30

60

90

120

150

Number of Countries

2018 20202016201420122010

145 countries

Power regulatory incentives/ mandates

Heating and cooling regulatory incentives/mandates

22 countries

65countries

Transport regulatory incentives/ mandates


Policies to Support Renewable Energy

and Phase Out Fossil Fuels

Countries do not achieve their targets in large part because they lack a supportive policy framework, or because the policy frameworks they have are ineffective or not enforced. This year of new norms – 2020 – highlighted inaction among the world’s policy makers and the lack of concrete measures to decarbonise their economies. It was the first year in which the number of countries with renewable energy support policies did not increase.

In addition, the heating and cooling and transport sectors lag far behind the power sector. While the number of countries with policies for renewable energy in transport plateaued in 2017, the number of countries with policies for heating and cooling peaked that year and has been declining ever since.

Supportive policy frameworks are critical to build renewables-based energy systems around the world. The successful uptake of renewable energy has been driven by bold policy making. However, unconditional support for propping up fossil fuels continues, while renewables receive far less support. The world will not reach its climate and development goals until renewable energy is prioritised.

In addition, stable policies are crucial to ensure that targets for renewables and net zero emissions are achieved. Today’s stop-and-go policy making poses a grave threat to the future development of renewables.

Number of Countries with Renewable Energy Regulatory Policies 2010–2020

Note: Figure does not show all policy types in use . In many cases countries have enacted additional fiscal incentives or public finance mechanisms to support renewable energy . A country is considered to have a policy (and is counted a single time) when it has at least one national or state/provincial-level policy in place . Power policies include feed-in tariffs (FITs) / feed-in premiums, tendering, net metering and renewable portfolio standards . Heating and cooling policies include solar heat obligations, technology-neutral renewable heat obligations and renewable heat FITs . Transport policies include biodiesel obligations/mandates, ethanol obligations/mandates and non-blend mandates .

CALL TO ACTIONTargets have to be backed up by policies that support the uptake

of renewables by incentivising and/or mandating their use. But this is not enough – governments also need to actively phase out the use

of fossil fuels and fossil fuel subsidies.

10

i See IEA, Net Zero by 2050 and IRENA, World Energy Transition Outlook (Preview) .

Renewable Energy Investment

Global investment in renewable power capacity withstood the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, totalling USD 303.5 billion in 2020. This 2% increase over 2019 marks a significant rebound, particularly given conditions at the start of the year.

However, this annual increase of 2% is well below necessary levels. At this rate, total growth in renewable energy investment will be only 22% by 2030. To reach global climate and sustainable development goals, annual investment in renewables must at least triple by 2030i, for a total increase of 200%.

Economic recovery packages provide an opportunity to reorient investment. However, despite international calls to “build back better” during the COVID-19 crisis, investment in fossil fuels in COVID-19 recovery packages was six times higher than for renewable energy.

Beyond recovery funds, fossil fuel subsidies remain in the hundreds of billions of dollars, far above the support for renewables. In addition, investment in new fossil fuel production and related infrastructure continued in many countries. In 2020, the world saw the first annual increase in global coal capacity since 2015.

Energy Investments in COVID-19 Recovery Packages of 31 Countries January 2020 to April 2021

42%Fossil fuels

29%Enablingtechnologies and energye�iciency

22%Other

7% Renewables

Source: EnergyPolicyTracker .org .

Note: Although the energy produced from solid waste combustion is efficient, it cannot be considered entirely renewable as solid waste also contains inorganic material . Generally, about 50% of energy from municipal solid waste is classified as renewable . Multiple renewables include geothermal and ocean power . Enabling technologies include e-mobility and renewable hydrogen . The “Other” category refers to other types of energy-related policies including, among others, nuclear energy, incineration, hydrogen from unspecified sources, and multiple energy types (for example intertwined fossil fuels and clean energy) . Where totals do not add up, the difference is due to rounding .

CALL TO ACTIONA structural shift means channelling funding from fossil fuels

to energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. At the same time, the overall level of renewable energy

investment must be increased dramatically.

11


Renewable Energy as a

Key Performance Indicator in

All Economic Activities

Nothing will happen unless we measure the right indicator. Considering the urgency of accelerating the structural shift from fossil fuels to renewables in all societal and economic activities, it is not enough anymore to track renewable energy targets, policies and investment. The world’s progress towards global climate and sustainable development goals can be measured by a simple key performance indicator: the share of renewable energy.

The share of renewable energy reflects developments in energy demand, energy conservation, energy efficiency and emissions in addition to renewable energy uptake and the reduction of fossil fuel use. Reaching a high renewable energy share can be used as the blueprint for a structural shift towards a transformed energy world.

Therefore, this indicator should be integrated at every level of decision making. Because energy is everywhere, the energy transition needs to happen everywhere. This particular key per-formance indicator lets people measure progress and ensure engagement globally, nationally, in regions, in cities, in any economic sector and even in businesses.

The share of renewable

energy must be integrated at every level of decision making .

CALL TO ACTIONMake progress in renewables a key performance indicator

in all economic activities, and use the renewable energy share to monitor advancement.

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2019 2020

INVESTMENTNew investment (annual) in renewable power and fuels1 billion USD 298 .4 303.5

POWERRenewable power capacity (including hydropower) GW 2,581 2,838

Renewable power capacity (not including hydropower) GW 1,430 1,668 Hydropower capacity2 GW 1,150 1,170

Solar PV capacity3 GW 621 760

Wind power capacity GW 650 743

Bio-power capacity GW 137 145

Geothermal power capacity GW 14 .0 14.1

Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) capacity GW 6 .1 6.2 Ocean power capacity GW 0 .5 0.5

HEAT Modern bio-heat demand (estimated)4 EJ 13 .7 13.9

Solar hot water demand (estimated)5 EJ 1 .5 1.5

Geothermal direct-use heat demand (estimated)6 PJ 421 462

TRANSPORT Ethanol production (annual) billion litres 115 105

FAME biodiesel production (annual) billion litres 41 39

HVO biodiesel production (annual) billion litres 6 .5 7.5

POLICIES7

Countries with renewable energy targets # 172 165 Countries with renewable energy policies # 161 161Countries with renewable heating and cooling targets # 49 19Countries with renewable transport targets # 46 35Countries with renewable electricity targets # 166 137Countries with heat regulatory policies # 22 22Countries with biofuel blend mandates8 # 65 65Countries with feed-in policies (existing) # 83 83Countries with feed-in policies (cumulative)9 # 113 113Countries with tendering (held during the year) # 41 33Countries with tendering (cumulative)9 # 111 116

1 Data are from BloombergNEF and include investment in new capacity of all biomass, geothermal and wind power projects of more than 1 MW; all hydropower projects of between 1 and 50 MW; all solar power projects, with those less than 1 MW estimated separately; all ocean power projects; and all biofuel projects with an annual production capacity of 1 million litres or more . Total investment values include estimates for undisclosed deals as well as company investment (venture capital, corporate and government research and development, private equity and public market new equity) .

2 The GSR strives to exclude pure pumped storage capacity from hydropower capacity data .

3 Solar PV data are provided in direct current (DC) .

4 Includes bio-heat supplied by district energy networks and excludes the traditional use of biomass . See Reference Table R1 in the GSR 2021 Data Pack and related endnote for more information .

5 Includes glazed (flat-plate and vacuum tube) and unglazed collectors only . The number for 2020 is a preliminary estimate .

6 The estimate of annual growth in output is based on a survey report published in early 2020 . The annual growth estimate for 2020 is based on the annualised growth rate in the five-year period since 2014 .

7 A country is counted a single time if it has at least one national or state/provincial target or policy .

8 Biofuel policies include policies listed both under the biofuel obligation/mandate column in Table 6 and in Reference Table R8 in the GSR 2021 Data Pack .

9 Data reflect all countries where the policy has been used at any time up through the year of focus at the national or state/provincial level .

Note: All values are rounded to whole numbers except for numbers <15, biofuels and investment, which are rounded to one decimal point . FAME = fatty acid methyl esters; HVO = hydrotreated vegetable oil .

Renewable Energy Indicators 2020

13

20192009

4.2EJ 1.7 EJ

0.5 EJ

3.0EJ

1.5 EJ

Modern bioenergy

4.3 EJModern bioenergy

7.8%Share of renewables inbuilding heat demand

10.4%Share of renewables inbuilding heat demand

Renewable electricityfor heat

Geothermal heat

Renewable district heat

Solar thermal heat

0.2 EJ 0.6 EJ

0.2 EJ 0.4 EJ


Heating and cooling Transport Power

3251

Renewable energy Renewable energy Renewable energy10.2% 27.1 % 3.4%

Heating and coolingTransport Power

Renewable energyRenewable energy Renewable energy10.2% 27.1 % 3.4%

Heating and cooling TransportPower

Renewable energy Renewable energy10. % 2 27.1 % 3.4 %

%% 17%

Renewable energy


3251

Renewable energy27.1 %

%% 17%


3251

Renewable energy3.4%

%% 17%

3251 %%

32 51% %

17%

17%

Renewable Energy Contribution to Heating in Buildings by Technology, 2009 and 2019

What is the story?The share of renewable energy in meeting heating and cooling needs is still low. It is increasing only slowly, despite large growth in some technologies, as shown below. In order to increase the use of renewable heating and cooling, policies are needed that improve the affordability of these technologies and level the playing field compared to fossil fuels.

Renewable Energy in Total Final Energy Consumption, by Final Energy Use, 2018

RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARES AND POLICIES HEATING & COOLING

Policies subsidising fossil fuels still clash with those that encourage the uptake of renewable heating and cooling .

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Sectoral Coverage of National Renewable Heating and Cooling Financial and Regulatory Policies as of End-2020

Number of sectors covered

Other support policy

Renewable energy mandate

3 sectors

1 sector

2 sectors

Zero sectors or no data

4 sectors

Note: Sectors include residential, industrial, commercial and public facilities . Policy types used for map shading include investment subsidies/grants, rebates, tax credits, tax deductions, loans and feed-in tariffs . Renewable energy mandates are the obligation to meet a certain renewable standard for heat, such as the use of a specified technology . Other support policies include fossil fuel bans, support for phasing out fossil fuels, CO2 pricing for heat and support for R&D . Figure does not show policies at the local level; for local level data, see REN21 Renewables in Cities Global Status Report, www .ren21 .net/cities .

Source: REN21 Policy Database .

Source: ESMAP .

RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARES AND POLICIES HEATING & COOLING

No modern energy cooking services

Transition (Tiers 2 and 3)

Modern energy cooking services (Tier 4 and above)

South-East AsiaLatin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia East Asia

15%15%

17%17%56 %56 %

10%10%27%27%

29%29% 73%73% 19%19%

54%54%

21%21%

24%24%

55%55%

36%36%

31%31%

33 %33 %

South-east AsiaLatin America and the Caribbean

Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia East Asia

15%15%15%15%56%56%

17%17% 27%27%

29%29% 73%73% 19%19% 54%54%

21%21%

24%24% 55%55%

36%36%

31%31%

33%33%

Population with Access to Modern Energy Cooking Services by Region, 2020

15

http://www.ren21.net/cities


National biofuel blend mandate, 10% or aboveNational biofuel blendmandate, below 10%Sub-national biofuelblend mandate onlyNo policy

Countries with existingadvanced biofuel mandates

National and Sub-National Renewable Transport Mandates End-2020


3251






%% 17%

Renewable energy


3251


%% 17%


3251


%% 17%

3251 %%

32 51% %

17%

17%


Overall, the transport sector is

not on track to meet global climate targets for 2030 and 2050 .

Note: Shading shows countries and states/provinces with mandates for either biodiesel, ethanol or both .


RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARES AND POLICIES TRANSPORT

What is the story? Transport is the sector with the lowest share of renewable energy. It is also a heavy energy-consuming sector, accounting for 32% of global final energy demand. Biofuels are the dominant source of renewable energy for transport, and the contribution of (renewable) electricity remains low. Policy attention is urgently needed to electrify transport with renewable energy and increase the use of renewable fuels.

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AVOIDAvoid or reduce the need for motorised travel

■ Transport demandmanagement

■ Mixed-use, transit-oriented development

■ Active transport (e.g., walking, cycling)

■ Telecommuting

SHIFTShift to more e�icient, less carbon-intensive modes

■ Public transport, intercity and high-speed rail, and new mobility services (powered by renewable energy)

■ Zero emission logistics and last-mile delivery

IMPROVEImprove e�iciency, vehicle technology and fuels

■ Fuel economy■ Renewable fuels

(e.g., sustainable biofuels, renewable electro-fuels)

■ Renewable-basedelectric vehicles

Avoid-Shift-Improve Framework in the Transport Sector

Targets for Renewable Power and Electric Vehiclesas of End-2020

Note: Renewable power targets include only targets for a specific share of electricity generation by a future year . Where a jurisdiction has multiple targets, the highest target is shown . Nepal and Quebec show actual renewable power shares; both jurisdictions along with Iceland and Norway have already achieved nearly 100% renewable power . Electric vehicle targets vary; for details, see Reference Tables R6 and R8 in the GSR 2021 Data Pack . Source: REN21 Policy Database .

Level of national renewable power share targeted for jurisdictions with EV targets

1-10%

11-20%

21-30%

31-40%

41-50%

51-60%

61-70%

71-80%

81-90%

91-100%

Hainan Province Hainan Province

Balearic IslandsBalearic Islands

100% electric vehicle target or targeted ban on internal combustion engine vehicles

Sub-national renewable power target

Only

8 countries with targeted bans on internal combustion engine vehicles have 100% renewable power targets .

RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARES AND POLICIES TRANSPORT

17


Global Electricity Production by Source, and Share of Renewables2010-2020

Source: Ember .

Electricity Production (TWh) Share of renewable electricity (%)

0 0 %

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

25 %

50 %

2016201520142013201220112010 2017 2018 2019 2020

Fossil fuelsNuclear powerHydropowerNon-hydro renewables

Share ofrenewable electricity

What is the story?Renewables make their greatest contribution to the power sector. The share has risen quickly in recent years and reached 29% in 2020, up from 27% in 2018. The power sector continued to receive the bulk of renewable energy policy attention in 2020, as in previous years. Although feed-in policies remain a widely used mechanism, in 2020 the shift continued from feed-in policies to tenders and auctions..


3251






%% 17%

Renewable energy


3251


%% 17%


3251


%% 17%

3251 %%

32 51% %

17%

17%


In 2020, wind power and solar PV generated

more than 20% of electricity in nine countries .

RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARES AND POLICIES POWER

18

Billion USD

China

Other developing and emerging countries

European Union and United Kingdom

United States

Other developed countries

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2%increasefrom 2019to 2020304

40.7

123.

044

.2

42.6

83.8

35.0

32.8

47.6

29.1

40.2

43.4

58.3

31.6

47.6

50.2

53.0

37.6

40.4

57.1

40.8

32.2 54

.240

.445

.732

.2 66.6

47.5

42.8

31.9 69

.8

70.3

42.9

61.7

28.5

69.4

49.3

31.446

.2

39.5 53

.9

60.6

86.2 11

5.8 14

0.9

94.4

95.0

83.6

100.

7

World Total

18 24

Note: Figure includes utility-scale renewable energy and small-scale solar projects and excludes large hydropower projects of more than 50 MW .

Source: BloombergNEF .


Number of countries

Feed-in tari /premium payment

Tendering

83

116 The shift towards competitive

auctions and tenders

continued in 2020.

120

100

80

60

40

20

02017 2019 20202015201320112010 2018201620142012

Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs and Tenders2010-2020

Global Investment in Renewable Power Capacity Developed, Emerging and Developing Countries, 2010-2020

RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARES AND POLICIES POWER

Solar PV mini-grids are increasingly the preferred technology for providing electricity access across Africa and Asia .

19


Note: Figures include utility-scale renewable energy and small-scale solar projects and exclude large hydropower projects of more than 50 MW . The regions in this figure follow those presented in the BNEF Energy Transition Investment 2021 report and differ from the regional definitions included elsewhere in the GSR .

Source: BloombergNEF .

Billion USD

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Billion USDBillion USD

Billion USD

United States Europe

Americas (excl. United States & Brazil)

Brazil

Billion USD

Billion USD

Middle East & North Africa

China

Asia & Oceania (excl. China & India)

India

Billion USD

Billion USD

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Billion USDSub-Saharan Africa

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

0

5

10

15

0

5

10

15

0

5

10

0

10

20

5

15

0

5

10

15

0

20

40

60

0

30

60

90

120

150

0

20

40

60

80

10

30

50

0

30

60

90

120

150

26.1

26.1

44.2

44.2

35.0

35.0

29.1

29.1

31.6

31.6 37

.637

.6 40.8

40.8 45

.745

.7

42.8

42.8 49

.3

11.1

11.1

9.1

9.1

10.0

10.0 12

.012

.0 14.6

14.6

11.5

11.5

6.6

6.6

13.1

13.1

13.5

13.5

9.8

9.8

9.1

8.7

6.4

6.4 9.

79.

7

7.6

7.6

3.4

3.4 5.

45.

4 6.7

6.7

5.1

5.1 6.0

6.0

3.9

3.9 7.

17.

1

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1 3.3

3.3

2.2

2.2 5.

65.

6

6.0

6.0

5.2

5.2 8.

38.

3 10.0

10.0

8.9

8.9 10

.9

2.0

2.0

1.3

1.3

6.6

6.6

5.0

5.0

3.2

3.2 5.

45.

4

2.6

2.6

2.4

2.4

6.9

6.9

3.3

3.3

2.8 6.

36.

3

11.2

11.2

6.4

6.4

4.7

4.7 6.

16.

1

7.5

7.5

12.9

12.9

13.5

13.5

10.7

10.7

9.7

9.7

6.2

15.0

15.0 20

.220

.2

41.1

41.1

50.8

50.8

48.0

48.0

38.2

38.2

37.2

37.2 45

.445

.4

45.3

45.3 51

.2

27.1

27.1

106.

710

6.7 12

7.6

127.

6

52.2

52.2 63

.663

.6

58.5

58.5 64

.964

.9

46.3

46.3 59

.359

.3

54.0

54.0

81.8

89.0

89.0

61.7

61.7

34.8

34.8

39.5

39.5

60.6

60.6

86.2

86.2

115.

811

5.8

100.

710

0.7

140.

914

0.9

94.4

94.4

95.0

95.0

83.6

53.9

53.9

United States

Americas(excl. United States & Brazil)

Brazil


Europe

China

IndiaOceaniaAsia &

Sub-Saharan Africa

& India)(excl. China

Global Investment in Renewable Energy Capacity by Country and Region, 2010-2020

GLOBAL INVESTMENT 2020

20

Billion USD

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Billion USDBillion USD

Billion USD

United States Europe

Americas (excl. United States & Brazil)

Brazil

Billion USD

Billion USD


China

Asia & Oceania (excl. China & India)

India

Billion USD

Billion USD

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Billion USDSub-Saharan Africa

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

0

5

10

15

0

5

10

15

0

5

10

0

10

20

5

15

0

5

10

15

0

20

40

60

0

30

60

90

120

150

0

20

40

60

80

10

30

50

0

30

60

90

120

150

26.1

26.1

44.2

44.2

35.0

35.0

29.1

29.1

31.6

31.6 37

.637

.6 40.8

40.8 45

.745

.7

42.8

42.8 49

.3

11.1

11.1

9.1

9.1

10.0

10.0 12

.012

.0 14.6

14.6

11.5

11.5

6.6

6.6

13.1

13.1

13.5

13.5

9.8

9.8

9.1

8.7

6.4

6.4 9.

79.

7

7.6

7.6

3.4

3.4 5.

45.

4 6.7

6.7

5.1

5.1 6.0

6.0

3.9

3.9 7.

17.

1

2.2

2.2

2.1

2.1 3.3

3.3

2.2

2.2 5.

65.

6

6.0

6.0

5.2

5.2 8.

38.

3 10.0

10.0

8.9

8.9 10

.9

2.0

2.0

1.3

1.3

6.6

6.6

5.0

5.0

3.2

3.2 5.

45.

4

2.6

2.6

2.4

2.4

6.9

6.9

3.3

3.3

2.8 6.

36.

3

11.2

11.2

6.4

6.4

4.7

4.7 6.

16.

1

7.5

7.5

12.9

12.9

13.5

13.5

10.7

10.7

9.7

9.7

6.2

15.0

15.0 20

.220

.2

41.1

41.1

50.8

50.8

48.0

48.0

38.2

38.2

37.2

37.2 45

.445

.4

45.3

45.3 51

.2

27.1

27.1

106.

710

6.7 12

7.6

127.

6

52.2

52.2 63

.663

.6

58.5

58.5 64

.964

.9

46.3

46.3 59

.359

.3

54.0

54.0

81.8

89.0

89.0

61.7

61.7

34.8

34.8

39.5

39.5

60.6

60.6

86.2

86.2

115.

811

5.8

100.

710

0.7

140.

914

0.9

94.4

94.4

95.0

95.0

83.6

53.9

53.9

United States

Americas(excl. United States & Brazil)

Brazil


Europe

China

IndiaOceaniaAsia &

Sub-Saharan Africa

& India)(excl. China

In 2020,

solar power was the only renewable energy technology to experience an increase in investments .

21


More than 256 GW of renewable power capacity was added globally in 2020 – beating the previous record by nearly 30% .

1 2 3 4 5

Solar PV capacity China United States Vietnam Japan Germany

Wind power capacity China United States Brazil Netherlands Spain or Germany

Hydropower capacity China Turkey Mexico India Angola

Geothermal power capacity Turkey United States Japan – –

Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) capacity China – – – –

Solar water heating capacity China Turkey India Brazil United States

Ethanol production United States Brazil China Canada India

Biodiesel production Indonesia Brazil United States Germany France

Annual Investment / Net Capacity Additions / Production in 2020Technologies ordered based on total capacity additions in 2020.

TOP FIVE COUNTRIES 2020

22

1 2 3 4 5

POWERRenewable power capacity (including hydropower) China United States Brazil India Germany

Renewable power capacity (not including hydropower) China United States Germany India Japan

Renewable power capacity per capita (not including hydropower)1 Iceland Denmark Sweden Germany Australia

Bio-power capacity China Brazil United States Germany India

Geothermal power capacity United States Indonesia Philippines Turkey New Zealand

Hydropower capacity2 China Brazil Canada United States Russian Federation

Solar PV capacity China United States Japan Germany India

Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) capacity Spain United States China Morocco South Africa

Wind power capacity China United States Germany India Spain

HEAT Modern bio-heat demand in buildings United States Germany France Italy Sweden

Modern bio-heat demand in industry Brazil India United States Finland Sweden

Solar water heating collector capacity2 China Turkey India Brazil United States

Geothermal heat output3 China Turkey Iceland Japan New Zealand

1 Per capita renewable power capacity (not including hydropower) ranking based on data gathered from various sources for more than 70 countries and on 2019 population data from the World Bank .

2 Solar water heating collector ranking for total capacity is for year-end 2020 and is based on capacity of water (glazed and unglazed) collectors only . Data from International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Programme .

3 Not including heat pumps .Note: Most rankings are based on absolute amounts of investment, power generation capacity or output, or biofuels production; if done on a basis of per capita, national GDP or other, the rankings would be different for many categories (as seen with per capita rankings for renewable power not including hydropower and solar water heating collector capacity) .

Total Power Capacity or Demand / Output as of End-2020

TOP FIVE COUNTRIES 2020

23

Gigawatts-thermal

Glazed collectors

Unglazed collectors

0

100

200

300

400

500

20192010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2020

242242

285285

330330

374374

409409435435

456456472472 482482 478478

501501 501Gigawatts-

thermal

WorldTotal


Note: Data are for glazed and unglazed solar water collectors and do not include concentrating, air or hybrid collectors . The drop in 2019 was caused by revised annual additions for China in 2019 and new assumptions for projecting total capacity in operation for 2019 and 2020 .

Source: IEA SHC .

Solar Water Heating Collectors Global Capacity2010-2020

TECHNOLOGIES FOR A RENEWABLES REVOLUTION HEATING & COOLING

What are the technology options?Technologies that help increase the share of renewables in heating and cooling include solar thermal heating, geothermal heat, bioenergy and renewable electricity (e.g., heat pumps). Markets for solar thermal heating and heat pumps grew in 2020, and geothermal heat use is rising, while bioenergy use has been mainly flat in recent years.

24

75

50

25

0

Terawatt-hours

Rest ofWorldBraz

il

United Stat

esItaly

Russia

n

Federa

tion

Hungary

New Zea

land

Japan

Icelan

dTu

rkey

China

15

12

8

4

0

Exajoules

2009 2010 2015 20192014 2017201620122011 2013

District heating

Buildings,modern bioenergy

Total average annual change:

Industry

+1.4%

+0.3%

+5.9%

+1.2%

Geothermal Direct Use Estimates for Top 10 Countries and Rest of World, 2020

Source: Based on IEA .

Global Bioenergy Use for Heating by End-Use, 2009-2019

TECHNOLOGIES FOR A RENEWABLES REVOLUTION HEATING & COOLING

Geothermal direct use capacity

increased by around

8% in 2020 .

25

Average annual growth

Energy content (exajoules)

HVO/HEFA

Biodiesel (FAME)

Ethanol

0

2

4

1

3

2016201520142013201220112010 2017 2018 2019 2020

4.1%


Note: HVO = hydrotreated vegetable oil; HEFA = hydrotreated esters and fatty acids; FAME = fatty acid methyl esters

Global Production of Ethanol, Biodiesel and HVO/HEFA Fuel by Energy Content, 2010-2020

TECHNOLOGIES FOR A RENEWABLES REVOLUTION TRANSPORT

What are the technology options?Biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel, make up most of the renewable energy contribution to the transport sector. Electric vehicles provide an opportunity to increase the renewable share with electricity. Biofuels production fell in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, but the overall share of biofuels in the sector remained stable. On the contrary, sales of electric cars exploded, and some markets saw significant growth in the market share of electric cars.

The United States and Brazil, the two leading producers of biofuels, account for around

80% of global production.

26

Sales, million units

Sales in million units 2020 share of global sales

0

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

20162015 2017 2018 2020

20162015 2017 2018 2020

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXX

38.9%38.9%

13.2%13.2%

9.9%9.9%

6.2%6.2%5.9%5.9%

20.5%20.5%

5.4%5.4%

Rest of World

Rest of Europe

United KingdomFranceUnited StatesGermany

China

5.4%5.4% Rest of World

20.5%20.5%

United Kingdom5.9%5.9%France6.2%6.2%

United States9.9%9.9%

Germany13.2%13.2%

Rest of Europe

38.9%38.9% China

Note: Includes battery electric passenger vehicles and plug-in hybrid passenger electric vehicles .

Source: IEA .

Electric Car Global Sales Top Countries and Rest of World, 2015-2020

Source: IEA .

Market Share of Electric Cars in Annual Sales Top Large Markets and World, 2020

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0

Market Share

China

United Kingdom

France

German

y

Netherl

ands

Sweden

Norway

Canad

a

United Stat

es World

25.0%25.0%

13.5 %13.5 %11.3 %11.3 % 11.3 %11.3 %

5.7 %5.7 % 4.2 %4.2 %2.0 %2.0 %

4.6 %4.6 %

74.8 %74.8 %

32.3 %32.3 %

2019

2020

Sales of electric cars

grew 41% in 2020, while total car sales declined .

27


Annual Additions of Renewable Power Capacity by Technology and Total, 2014-2020

Note: Solar PV capacity data are provided in direct current (DC) . Data are not comparable against technology contributions to electricity generation .

Source: REN21 analysis .

Additions by technology (Gigawatts)

120

60

90

30

150

Bio-power, geothermal,ocean power, CSP

Hydropower

Wind power

Solar PV

201620152014 2017 2018 2019 2020

More than

256gigawatts added

in 2020

0

TECHNOLOGIES FOR A RENEWABLES REVOLUTION POWER

What are the technology options?Installed renewable power capacity grew by more than 256 GW during the pandemic year 2020, the largest increase ever. Solar PV and wind power made up more than 90% of this increase and are the main drivers towards higher shares of renewables in the power sector. By the end of 2020, 34 countries had more than 10 GW of renewable power capacity in operation, up from 20 countries in 2010.

28

Gigawatts

China

+28.7+28.7

+11.1+11.1 +4.1+4.1

+4.4+4.4

+4.1+4.1

0

100

50

150

20

40

60

80200

300

250

Restof World

100

+48.2+48.2

+8.2+8.2Added in 2020

2019 total +4.9+4.9

+3.1+3.1 +3.0+3.0

+19.2+19.2

NetherlandsBrazilRepublic of Korea

AustraliaIndiaGermanyJapanVietnamUnitedStates

Gigawatts

20

40

60

IndiaTurkey

France

Norway

Germany

SpainNetherlands

Brazil

+52.0+52.0

+10.8+10.8

+16.9+16.9

+2.0+2.0

+2.3+2.3

+1.7+1.7

+1.7+1.7

+1.5+1.5

+1.3+1.3

+1.2+1.2

+1.1+1.1

0

100

50

150

200

300

250 80

80

Added in 2020

2019 total

United States

Rest of World

China

Note: Data are provided in direct current (DC) .


Solar PV Capacity and Additions Top 10 Countries for Capacity Added, 2020

Note: Numbers above bars are gross additions, but bar heights reflect year-end totals . Germany's net additions were slightly below those of Norway .


Wind Power Capacity and Additions Top 10 Countries for Capacity Added, 2020

Continuing a trend going back to 2012, most of

the newly installed power capacity in 2020 was renewable.

29

Nepal

Rwanda

Mongolia

Kenya

Vanuatu

Fiji

Bangladesh

...connected tohydropower mini-grids

Share of population...

...connected tosolar PV mini-grids

...using solar home systems(11-50 W)

...using solar home systems(>50 W)

2% 4% 6% 8% 10%0%

5.0%5.0%

6.1%6.1%

6.2%6.2%

6.8%6.8%

7.7%7.7%

9.0%9.0%

9.7%9.7%


Note: Data in figure include solar home systems (SHS) and mini-grids but exclude solar lights .


Top 7 Countries with the Highest Electricity Access Rate from Distributed Renewable Energy Solutions 2019

Global Levelised Costs of Electricity from Newly Commissioned Utility-scale Renewable Power Generation Technologies, 2010 and 2020

Source: IRENA .

2020

USD

/kW

h

��

0

0.1

0.4

0.2

0.3

0.057

0.381

��

0.108

��

0.084��

0.039

2010 20202010 20202010 20202010 2020

��

��

95th percentile

5th percentile

Average cost

-68%-85% -54% -48%

30

GSR 2021 PRODUCTION AND AUTHORING TEAM REN21 RESEARCH DIRECTION TEAMHannah E. MurdockDuncan GibbThomas André

SPECIAL ADVISORSJanet L. Sawin (Sunna Research)Adam BrownLea Ranalder

CHAPTER AUTHORSThomas André (REN21)Adam Brown Ute Collier (Green Energy Insights)Christopher Dent (Edge Hill University)Bärbel Epp (Solrico)Duncan Gibb (REN21)Chetna Hareesh Kumar (REN21)Fanny Joubert (EcoTraders)Ron Kamara (EcoTraders)Nathalie LedanoisRachele Levin Hannah E. Murdock (REN21)Janet L. Sawin (Sunna Research)Jonathan Skeen (The SOLA Group)Freyr Sverrisson (Sunna Research)Glen Wright (Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations)

RESEARCH AND PROJECT SUPPORT (REN21 SECRETARIAT)Chetna Hareesh Kumar, Fabio PassaroFlávia Guerra, Ni Made Dwi Sastriani, Hend Yaqoob, Stefanie Gicquel, Vibhushree Hamirwasia, Gwamaka Kifukwe, Yu Yuan-Perrin

COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT (REN21 SECRETARIAT)Tammy Mayer, Laura E. WilliamsonAndreas Budiman, Olivia Chen, Katherine Findlay, Alyssa Harris, Jessica Jones-Langley, Florencia Urbani

EDITING, DESIGN AND LAYOUTLisa Mastny, EditorLeah Brumer, Editorweeks.de Werbeagentur GmbH, Design

PRODUCTIONREN21 Secretariat, Paris, France

The REN21 Secretariat has produced this document to highlight important trends in renewable energy that occurred in 2020 and to put them in perspective of the global energy transition. It draws on elements from REN21’s Renewables 2021 Global Status Report.

Authoring: Thomas André, Duncan Gibb, Hannah E. Murdock (REN21)

Photo Creditspage 4: © zhongguo; iStockpage 5: © PamelaJoeMcFarlane; iStockpage 6: © jonathanfilskov-photography, page 7: © urbazon; iStockpage 7: © 3alexd; iStockpage 7: © LeoPatrizi, Cornwall, GBpage 8: © c1a1p1c1o1m1; iStockpage 8: © ZU_09; iStockpage 9: Swiss Alps; iStockpage 9: © Erstudiostok; iStockpage 10: © alxpin, iStock

page 11: © Tramino; Paris, Francepage 12: © Tatiana Dyuvbanova; iStockpage 12: © golero; iStockpage 14: © KangeStudio; iStockpage 16: © genesisgraphics; iStockpage 17: © Madrugada Verde, UKpage 17: © SimonSkafar, iStockpage 18: © laughingmango; iStock page 19: © jonathanfilskov, Tanzania page 21: © Jenson; iStockpage 22: © coldsnowstorm; iStock

page 22: © CharlieChesvick; iStockpage 23: © lindsay_imagery; Tasmaniapage 23: © MiguelMalo; iStockpage 24: © riekephotos; Turkeypage 24: © Palatinate Stock; iStockpage 25: © Rhoberazzi; iStockpage 26: © 3alexd; iStockpage 26: © Joseph Kreiss, Fairmont, US page 28: © Kam Shan Country Park page 28: © Sky_Blue; iStockpage 28: © jimiknightley ; iStock

DISCLAIMER: REN21 releases issue papers and reports to emphasise the importance of renewable energy and to generate discussion on issues central to the promotion of renewable energy. While REN21 papers and reports have benefited from the considerations and input from the REN21 community, they do not necessarily represent a consensus among network participants on any given point. Although the information given in this report is the best available to the authors at the time, REN21 and its participants cannot be held liable for its accuracy and correctness.

REN21 is committed to mobilising global action to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

31

REN21 Secretariatc/o UN Environment Programme1 rue Miollis Building VII 75015 ParisFrance

www.ren21.net

2021

For further details and access to the report and references, visit www.ren21.net/GSR

KE Y FINDINGS


See Endnotes and Methodological Notes in the full GSR for further details on the information presented in this document.

2021

KEY MESSAGES FOR DECISION MAKERS

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