Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2012

Author: 

Frankfurt School - UNEP

Year: 

2012

Main Geographic Focus: 

International

RE&EE Category Taxonomy: 

  • Politicas e Estratégias
  • Mecanismos de Financiamento

File Tag: 

  • Policy
  • Market analysis

Descrição: 

 

In 2011, global investment in the renewable energy sector hit another record, up 17% to $257 billion. This was a six fold increase on the 2004 figure and 93% higher than the total in 2007, the year before the world financial crisis. There may be multiple reasons driving this renewable investment, from strengthening regulatory frameworks to decreasing costs — whatever the drivers, the strong and sustained growth of the sector is a major factor that is assisting many countries towards a transition to a low-carbon, resourceefficient Green Economy. This sends a strong signal of opportunity to world leaders and delegates meeting later this month at the Rio+20 Summit: namely that transforming sustainable development from patchy progress to a reality for seven billion people is achievable when existing technologies are combined with inspiring policies and decisive leadership. Furthermore, in 2011, renewable power (excluding large hydro) accounted for 44% of new generation capacity added worldwide in 2011, up from 34% in 2010. The $237 billion invested in building these green power plants compares with $223 billion of net new expenditure annually on building additional fossilfuelled power plants globally last year. So we’re certainly seeing a green growth trajectory in the power sector, even if we have quite some way to go to achieve an energy mix that is truly sustainable.
With this goal in mind, in 2012 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is leading a global initiative called Sustainable Energy for All aimed at mobilising action in support of three interlinked objectives to be achieved by 2030: providing universal access to modern energy services; doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. Pushing forward on the energy agenda can assist in a defining and decisive outcome at Rio+20 including in support of the proposed Sustainable Development Goals that could be adopted in 2015. Other commitments on the table at the Summit can also assist the evolution of clean energy including governments agreeing to address the hundreds of billions of dollars worth of annual fossil-fuel subsides; expanding sustainability reporting by companies globally; and boosting sustainable procurement by central and local government.
There are many areas where sustainable development is ready for a major acceleration and scaling-up—clean energy systems, by dint of their technology, the costs, the employment potential and the opportunities, are among the ripest at Rio+20.

 

Document Language: 

English