According to a recently released United Nations report, global
investment in renewable energy reached a record $257 billion in
2011, a 17 percent increase from the amount invested in 2010.
Globally, renewable energy covers approximately 16.7 percent of
energy consumption. Of this share, modern technologies such as
solar and wind accounted for just 8.2 percent, even less than
the 8.5 percent contributed by biomass. By comparison, more than
80 percent of electricity consumed worldwide still comes from
fossil fuels. China was responsible for almost one-fifth of
total global investment, spending $52 billion on renewable
energy last year. The United States was close behind with
investments of $51 billion, as developers sought to benefit from
government incentive programs before they expired. Germany,
Italy and India rounded out the list of the top five countries.
According to China’s 12th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social
Development (2011-2015), the country will spend $473.1 billion
on clean energy investmen