On a global level, the transformation sector (electricity and heat) accounted for 40.7% of renewables consumption. Regarding final consumption, 38% of renewables consumption is used in the residential, commercial and public sectors. This is a consequence of the widespread use of solid biofuels in the residential sector in developing countries for heating and cooking.

In the OECD, the majority of renewables use in the last three decades has been for generating electricity. In the final consumption sectors, there has been a diversification of renewables demand, with the most significant trend being the steep growth of biofuels used for transport. In 2019, liquid biofuels and biogases used for transport constituted 10.1% of renewables consumption.