Energy systems shape climate outcomes for people and businesses across regions. This page connects emissions and pollution trends to what’s happening in generation, fuels, and infrastructure—alongside the growth in renewables and low‑carbon investment. You’ll also see how methane and carbon intensity remain linked to oil and gas practices, combustion, and supply chains, and how EU policies and tools fit into the picture.
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)
Renewables are expanding fast, but global energy emissions still rose slightly, demanding faster decarbonization.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size7 stats
01
In 2022, renewable power generation capacity increased by 295 GW globally (IRENA, Renewable Capacity Statistics 2023)https://www.irena.org/publications/2023/Jun/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)https://www.irena.org/publications/2024/Feb/Renewable-Energy-Statistics-2024
03
Global spending on low-carbon energy transitions reached $1.6 trillion in 2023 (IEA, World Energy Investment 2024)https://www.iea.org/reports/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)https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023
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)https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/
06
Global electric vehicle sales reached 14.1 million in 2023 (IEA, Global EV Outlook 2024)https://www.iea.org/reports/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)https://about.bnef.com/blog/bnef-energy-storage-outlook-2024/
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
From the Market Size perspective, the scale of capital and deployment is accelerating fast, with $569 billion invested in renewables in 2022 and global low carbon energy transition spending reaching $1.6 trillion in 2023, alongside a further projection of $2.4 trillion in energy transition investment by 2030 under current stated policies.
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)https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2023/what-happened-in-2022
02
0.4% global energy-related CO2 emissions increased in 2023 compared with 2022 (IEA, Global Energy Review 2024)https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2024/overview
03
1.6% of US greenhouse gas emissions were from stationary combustion in 2022 (EPA Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks)https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-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)https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/36644
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)https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/
Interpretation
Emissions & Intensity Interpretation
From the Emissions and Intensity perspective, global energy related CO2 growth slowed to just 0.4% in 2023 after a 2.1% rise in 2022, while the energy sector still drives 42% of global methane emissions and IPCC AR6 WGIII points to needing net zero energy related CO2 around mid century.
03 · Category
Sustainability Performance4 stats
01
In 2023, the EU produced about 38% of electricity from renewables (Ember/EU dataset)https://ember-climate.org/data/data-explorer/
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)https://sustainability.google/commitments/
03
Shell reported 60% fewer carbon intensity emissions (Scope 1 and 2) vs 2016 baseline by 2023 (Shell Sustainability Report 2023 carbon intensity progress)https://reports.shell.com/sustainability-report/2023/
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)https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/sustainability.html
Interpretation
Sustainability Performance Interpretation
Under Sustainability Performance, progress is clear in multiple metrics, with the EU generating about 38% of its electricity from renewables in 2023 while major firms also cut emissions, including Shell’s 60% lower Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity by 2023 versus 2016 and bp’s 15% methane intensity reduction in 2023 versus its 2020 baseline.
More related reading
04 · 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)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2413/oj
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)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/1791/oj
03
EU ETS covers about 36.7% of EU greenhouse gas emissions (European Commission summary for EU ETS coverage)https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/eu-emissions-trading-system-eu-ets_en
04
CBAM will cover embedded carbon for cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity starting 1 October 2023 (EU Regulation (EU) 2023/956)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/956/oj
Interpretation
Policy & Regulation Interpretation
Under Policy and Regulation, the EU is tightening the sustainability framework by mandating major 2030 outcomes, including 42.5% renewables and an 11.7% energy-efficiency target alongside broader carbon coverage through EU ETS and CBAM expansion starting October 2023.
05 · Category
Industry Trends3 stats
01
In 2023, global demand for electricity grew by 2.6% (IEA Electricity Market Report 2024)https://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-market-report-2024
02
In 2023, renewable energy capacity additions were 510 GW globally (IEA Renewables 2024—capacity additions)https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2024
03
In 2023, 70% of global heat pump sales were in China (IEA Heat Pumps 2024)https://www.iea.org/reports/heat-pumps
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
As an industry trend, surging electricity demand with 2.6% growth alongside 510 GW of new renewable capacity and China taking 70% of heat pump sales shows sustainability momentum is being driven by both expanding power needs and rapid clean technology adoption.
06 · Category
Overview2 stats
01
The oil and gas sector accounted for 36% of global methane emissions in 2015 (UNEP “Global Methane Assessment” 2021 methane sector shares)https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/36207
02
In 2023, offshore wind LCOE decreased to a range of €83–€144/MWh (IEA Offshore Wind Outlook—LCOE ranges updated)https://www.iea.org/reports/offshore-wind-outlook-2023
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
From an industry overview perspective, the oil and gas sector still drives a large share of global methane emissions at 36% in 2015, while offshore wind costs are falling as 2023 LCOE drops into a €83–€144 per MWh range, signaling a shift toward lower-carbon power options alongside ongoing emissions challenges.
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
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)