The comprehensive analysis conducted by the IEA meticulously scrutinized project-by-project data, focusing on four major economies: US, EU, China, and India.
New research unveiled by the International Energy Agency (IEA) has illuminated the substantial economic contributions of clean energy initiatives worldwide, amounting to approximately $320 billion in 2023. This milestone marks a significant achievement, equivalent to 10% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for that year.
The comprehensive analysis conducted by the IEA meticulously scrutinized project-by-project data, focusing on four major economies: the United States, the European Union, China, and India. The study delved into three crucial facets of the clean energy sector: manufacturing of clean energy technologies, deployment of clean power capacity, and sales of clean equipment, including electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps.
In the European Union, clean energy emerged as a pivotal driver of GDP growth, contributing nearly one-third to the overall expansion of 0.5%. This surge was propelled by robust climate policies such as the Fit for 55 package and the proposed Net Zero Industry Act, which stimulated investments in clean energy manufacturing, notably in battery production, witnessing a more than twofold increase between 2022 and 2023.
Similarly, in the United States, clean energy played a substantial role in GDP growth, constituting approximately 6% of the overall expansion. Legislative measures like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law galvanized investment in clean energy manufacturing, alongside increased sales of EVs, further bolstering the growth trajectory.
China, with its ambitious clean energy objectives, experienced clean energy propelling nearly one-fifth of its GDP growth in 2023. Despite facing challenges such as surplus production capacity in certain technologies like batteries, China demonstrated growth across all analyzed categories, with significant investments in clean power capacity and clean equipment sales, particularly in EVs.
India, renowned for boasting the fastest-growing large economy in 2023, witnessed clean energy contributing nearly 5% to GDP growth. This growth was predominantly steered by investments in new solar power capacity and policy initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive, aimed at attracting investment in clean energy manufacturing.
Furthermore, the report underscores the global significance of clean energy as a catalyst for investment growth. In China, clean energy accounted for 50% of the total investment growth in 2023, while in the US, it contributed 20%. Globally, investment in clean energy technology manufacturing surged by 75% compared to the previous year, reaching around $200 billion in 2023.
Looking ahead, the IEA projects that renewables and nuclear energy will dominate the growth of global electricity production in the next three years, jointly accounting for more than 90% of additional global demand. However, despite significant strides in renewable energy production, global emissions persistently rise due to the failure to address fossil fuel consumption adequately.
The findings of this research underscore the critical importance of sustained investment and policy support for clean energy initiatives to both economic growth and the imperative of mitigating climate change. As the world grapples with the challenges of a transitioning energy landscape, the role of clean energy in shaping the global economy becomes increasingly evident.