Global Efforts to Achieve Renewable Energy Targets Face Significant Challenges

As the 2030 deadline approaches, the global gap between ambitious rhetoric and actual progress toward renewable energy targets is becoming increasingly evident. Current data from major research institutions show that many countries are falling short in their renewable energy goals, failing to transition quickly enough from fossil fuels to green alternatives.

By early 2025, all 197 United Nations member states had endorsed the 2015 climate agreement, and most have set specific targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking other actions to limit global warming. However, experience has shown that setting goals and achieving them are two entirely different matters.

Recently, the globally renowned energy think tank "Ember" released a report assessing climate action progress worldwide. The report notes upfront that although 133 countries agreed at the 2023 COP28 climate summit to triple global renewable power capacity, policy actions in many of these nations do not match their commitments.

According to the report, at COP28 two years ago, 133 countries agreed to raise global renewable power capacity to 11 terawatts by 2030. Yet as of July this year, only seven non-EU countries have updated their 2030 targets—five increased theirs, while two lowered theirs. Some EU countries finalized their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) according to EU timelines: France and Spain raised their targets by 5 gigawatts and 19 gigawatts respectively, while Germany and Italy made no adjustments. It is expected that EU countries will not revise their national targets again until the next NECP cycle in 2029.

Ember's report reveals that the combined renewable power capacity targets of all countries amount to just 2% more than at COP28 in 2023, totaling 7.4 terawatts—far below the 11-terawatt target needed by 2030 to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Ember emphasizes that raising national targets is crucial for advancing climate goals, enhancing energy security, and promoting economic growth. Timely updates help guide supporting policies, incentives, and planning, and reduce risks such as overcapacity or grid congestion. At the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil this November, participating countries may face criticism for failing to act on COP28 and COP29 commitments, which could prompt renewed target revisions.

Additionally, one of the international community’s greatest recent concerns is U.S. President Trump’s rollback on domestic climate action. Trump has labeled the climate provisions in former President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act as “a green new deal scam, possibly the biggest scam in history.” Since taking office in January, he has launched a crackdown on green energy: cutting funding for renewable energy and electric vehicles, relaxing air pollution and other climate-related regulations, announcing U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and attempting to overturn multiple climate initiatives from previous administrations.

During Biden’s presidency, the U.S. rapidly emerged as a global leader in green transition after passing the Inflation Reduction Act, prompting emulation by regions such as the EU and the UK. However, Trump’s strong preference for fossil fuels and dismissal of wind and solar energy are expected to hinder America’s energy transition. Meanwhile, U.S. electricity demand is facing sharp increases, driven by tech companies building large data centers, potentially leading to further rises in greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years.