Energy transitions
Tracking progress in clean energy transitions through key indicators across fuels and technologies
The IEA's work on tracking clean energy transitions
Tracking progress is essential to reaching our climate and sustainable development goals. The IEA's Net Zero by 2050 Scenario lays out a narrow but achievable pathway to net zero emissions by mid-century. Accurate and up-to-date indicators are essential to measure how the world is stacking up next to this challenge, and to determine where to channel investment and policy attention.
No single indicator can fully capture the complexity of the global clean energy transition, but the following set of indicators unpack the underlying drivers of energy supply and demand that determine the energy sector’s contribution to CO2 emissions. Taken together, they provide a picture of where we are now, and what trajectories we are on at a global, regional, national and sectoral level.
These indicators build on years of work at the IEA to analyze and chart the energy transition, and the impact of the energy sector on emissions, and provide recommendations and solutions to policy makers based on accurate data and objective analysis. This page provides an entry point into our wide range of reports and data on this critical topic.
Understanding IEA scenarios
Global tracking indicators
Global energy related CO2 emissions by scenario, 1990-2050
OpenGlobal energy-related emissions rose to a record high
Despite these mostly discouraging developments, the pathway detailed in the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario remains narrow but still achievable. This update to the NZE Scenario offers a comprehensive account of how policymakers and others could respond coherently to the challenges of climate change, energy affordability and energy security.
Global energy-related CO2 emissions by sector in 2020 and 2050
OpenGlobal emissions by technology and sector
Change in electricity generation in the Stated Policies Scenario between 2021 and 2030
OpenElectricity production will be led by renewables by 2030
Global electric car stock, 2010-2021
OpenEV's are on the rise
Global energy investment, 2017-2022
OpenInvestment in energy supplies and technologies
Government and mobilised sustainable recovery spending in July vs. October 2021, annual average, 2021-2023
OpenPandemic recovery spending
Global public energy RD&D budget, low-carbon vs. total, 2015-2020
OpenPublic investment in low-carbon research and development
Country-level tracking indicators
Moving to a sustainable energy systems is a global challenge, and involves a multitude of decisions taken at national and local levels. Not every country starts from the same position, and not every country can or will seek the same solutions. That will depend on the structure of its economy, its legacy energy mix, and factors such as climate and geography. Visit this section for a snapshot of how countries are faring across a wide range of indicators, using the latest available data from the IEA.
CO2 emissions per capita in selected countries and regions, 2000-2020
OpenEmissions per capita
Carbon intensity of electricity generation in selected countries and regions, 2000-2020
OpenCarbon intensity of power generation
Renewables share of electricity generation in selected countries and regions, 2000-2020
OpenRenewables share in electricity generation
Total energy supply per unit of GDP for selected countries and regions, 2000-2020
OpenEnergy intensity
Access to electricity in selected countries and regions, 2000-2019
OpenExpanding access to electricity
Learn more about energy access in SDG7: Data and Projections.
Share of electricity in total final consumption in selected countries and regions, 2000-2020
OpenShare of electricity in final consumption
Related analysis
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Opportunities for Hydrogen Production with CCUS in China
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Advancing Decarbonisation through Clean Electricity Procurement
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World Energy Outlook 2022
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Clean Energy Transitions in the Greater Horn of Africa