What is clean energy?
Clean energy is energy generated and used without emitting greenhouse gases. As an alternative to fossil fuels, clean energy aims to reduce the impact of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The most common forms of clean energy are solar energy, wind power, hydroelectricity, biomass fuels and geothermal.
Clean energy is anticipated to become the predominant power source globally within the next 30 years. This shift is driven by supportive policies, consumer demand, cost declines and recognition of the finite nature of fossil fuels1.
What is the difference between renewable energy and clean energy?
While often used interchangeably, the terms clean energy and renewable energy have distinct meanings. Clean energy refers to energy production with zero greenhouse gas emissions produced, while renewable energy implies the source is in infinite supply or constantly replenished. The optimal energy sources are both clean and renewable, neither contributing to pollution nor depleting finite natural resources.
The global transition to clean energy
Due to finite nature of fossil fuels and the escalating impact of global warming, the world is moving towards a clean and renewable global energy supply. Over the last decade, global consumption of renewable energy has surged by over 320%, growing at an average annual rate of 12.6%2.
This energy transition is recognised as one of the world’s most critical megatrends, fueled by the need to address the role fossil fuels play in greenhouse gas emissions and their adverse environmental impacts. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas for energy accounts for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions3. There are more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than ever before, and that’s causing the earth’s temperature to rise faster than at any point in recorded history4. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and contributing to more severe storms, increased drought, a warming and rising ocean, loss of species, food shortages, health risks and poverty3.