The European Union produces 38 percent of its electricity from renewables. Global spending on low carbon energy transitions reached 1.6 trillion dollars as renewable capacity additions hit 510 gigawatts. Energy related carbon dioxide emissions rose 0.4 percent while the sector accounted for 42 percent of global methane emissions.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the EU produced about 38% of electricity from renewables (Ember/EU dataset)
- Google targets 24/7 carbon-free energy and reported it reached 100% renewable electricity match in 2017, with carbon-free supply continuing to increase (Google Sustainability Reports)
- Shell reported 60% fewer carbon intensity emissions (Scope 1 and 2) vs 2016 baseline by 2023 (Shell Sustainability Report 2023 carbon intensity progress)
- 2.1% global energy-related CO2 emissions grew in 2022 compared with 2021 (International Energy Agency, Global Energy Review 2023)
- 0.4% global energy-related CO2 emissions increased in 2023 compared with 2022 (IEA, Global Energy Review 2024)
- 1.6% of US greenhouse gas emissions were from stationary combustion in 2022 (EPA Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks)
- In 2022, renewable power generation capacity increased by 295 GW globally (IRENA, Renewable Capacity Statistics 2023)
- $569 billion of investment was made in renewable energy in 2022 globally (IRENA, Renewable Energy Statistics 2024 / Investment figures updated in 2022)
- Global spending on low-carbon energy transitions reached $1.6 trillion in 2023 (IEA, World Energy Investment 2024)
- The oil and gas sector accounted for 36% of global methane emissions in 2015 (UNEP “Global Methane Assessment” 2021 methane sector shares)
- In 2023, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) targets 42.5% renewables by 2030 (European Union, Directive (EU) 2023/2413)
- In 2023, the EU revised the Energy Efficiency Directive to set a 11.7% binding EU energy-efficiency target by 2030 (Directive (EU) 2023/1791)
- EU ETS covers about 36.7% of EU greenhouse gas emissions (European Commission summary for EU ETS coverage)
- In 2023, global demand for electricity grew by 2.6% (IEA Electricity Market Report 2024)
- In 2023, renewable energy capacity additions were 510 GW globally (IEA Renewables 2024—capacity additions)
Despite rising electricity demand, renewables growth and major investments cut emissions as energy transitions accelerate worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Sustainability Performance4 stats
01
In 2023, the EU produced about 38% of electricity from renewables (Ember/EU dataset)
02
Google targets 24/7 carbon-free energy and reported it reached 100% renewable electricity match in 2017, with carbon-free supply continuing to increase (Google Sustainability Reports)
03
Shell reported 60% fewer carbon intensity emissions (Scope 1 and 2) vs 2016 baseline by 2023 (Shell Sustainability Report 2023 carbon intensity progress)
04
bp reported a 15% reduction in methane intensity (kg CH4 per kg hydrocarbon produced) in 2023 vs 2020 baseline (bp Annual Report 2023 methane reduction metrics)
Interpretation
Sustainability Performance Interpretation
Under the Sustainability Performance category, the industry is showing measurable progress with the EU generating about 38% of electricity from renewables in 2023 alongside major company gains such as Google’s continued growth in carbon-free energy reaching 100% renewable matching in 2017, Shell cutting Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity by 60% since 2016, and bp reducing methane intensity by 15% in 2023 versus its 2020 baseline.
02 · Category
Emissions & Intensity5 stats
01
2.1% global energy-related CO2 emissions grew in 2022 compared with 2021 (International Energy Agency, Global Energy Review 2023)
02
0.4% global energy-related CO2 emissions increased in 2023 compared with 2022 (IEA, Global Energy Review 2024)
03
1.6% of US greenhouse gas emissions were from stationary combustion in 2022 (EPA Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks)
04
The energy sector is responsible for 42% of global methane emissions in 2020 (Global Methane Assessment 2021 by UN and partner organizations)
05
The IPCC AR6 WGIII estimates that global energy-related CO2 emissions must reach net zero around mid-century to align with limiting warming to 1.5°C (IPCC AR6 WGIII SPM summary)
Interpretation
Emissions & Intensity Interpretation
Across the emissions and intensity lens, global energy-related CO2 growth slowed from a 2.1% increase in 2022 to a 0.4% rise in 2023, yet the sector’s footprint remains large with energy accounting for 42% of global methane emissions in 2020 and only a portion of US greenhouse gases coming from stationary combustion in 2022.
03 · Category
Market Size7 stats
01
In 2022, renewable power generation capacity increased by 295 GW globally (IRENA, Renewable Capacity Statistics 2023)
02
$569 billion of investment was made in renewable energy in 2022 globally (IRENA, Renewable Energy Statistics 2024 / Investment figures updated in 2022)
03
Global spending on low-carbon energy transitions reached $1.6 trillion in 2023 (IEA, World Energy Investment 2024)
04
$2.4 trillion of investment is expected for energy transitions in 2030 under current stated policies (IEA, World Energy Outlook 2023—scenario investment framing)
05
US utility-scale solar accounted for 76% of new US renewable capacity additions in 2023 (US EIA, U.S. energy facts—renewables and installed capacity)
06
Global electric vehicle sales reached 14.1 million in 2023 (IEA, Global EV Outlook 2024)
07
The global battery market size for energy storage systems was $62.0 billion in 2023 (BloombergNEF, Energy Storage Outlook / market sizing)
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In the market size category, the scale of global clean energy momentum is clear as renewable investment reached $569 billion in 2022 and low carbon energy transitions rose to $1.6 trillion by 2023, with an additional $62.0 billion battery storage market in 2023 and a forecast of $2.4 trillion in energy transition investment by 2030.
04 · Category
Technology Adoption1 stats
01
The oil and gas sector accounted for 36% of global methane emissions in 2015 (UNEP “Global Methane Assessment” 2021 methane sector shares)
Interpretation
Technology Adoption Interpretation
With the oil and gas sector responsible for 36% of global methane emissions in 2015, technology adoption in that segment is a high priority because improvements in emissions control can deliver outsized climate benefits.
More related reading
05 · Category
Policy & Regulation4 stats
01
In 2023, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) targets 42.5% renewables by 2030 (European Union, Directive (EU) 2023/2413)
02
In 2023, the EU revised the Energy Efficiency Directive to set a 11.7% binding EU energy-efficiency target by 2030 (Directive (EU) 2023/1791)
03
EU ETS covers about 36.7% of EU greenhouse gas emissions (European Commission summary for EU ETS coverage)
04
CBAM will cover embedded carbon for cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity starting 1 October 2023 (EU Regulation (EU) 2023/956)
Interpretation
Policy & Regulation Interpretation
As of 2023, EU policy is tightening sustainability requirements with RED III pushing renewables to 42.5% by 2030, an 11.7% binding energy efficiency target, and carbon cost coverage extending via the EU ETS over 36.7% of emissions alongside CBAM for key heavy sectors from 1 October 2023.
06 · Category
Industry Trends3 stats
01
In 2023, global demand for electricity grew by 2.6% (IEA Electricity Market Report 2024)
02
In 2023, renewable energy capacity additions were 510 GW globally (IEA Renewables 2024—capacity additions)
03
In 2023, 70% of global heat pump sales were in China (IEA Heat Pumps 2024)
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Under industry trends, fast-growing electrification and renewables are accelerating in step with policy scale up, as global electricity demand rose 2.6% in 2023 and renewable capacity additions reached 510 GW, while China alone accounted for 70% of global heat pump sales in 2023.
07 · Category
Cost Analysis1 stats
01
In 2023, offshore wind LCOE decreased to a range of €83–€144/MWh (IEA Offshore Wind Outlook—LCOE ranges updated)
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
In 2023, offshore wind’s cost competitiveness improved as LCOE fell to a range of €83 to €144 per MWh, underscoring a clear downward trend that strengthens sustainability prospects from a cost analysis perspective.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Sustainability In The Energy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-energy-industry-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Sustainability In The Energy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-energy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Sustainability In The Energy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-energy-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
25 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)