Renewables could provide 80% of global energy by 2040: ETC
Renewable energy could provide most of the power in certain regions in under two decades, according to a report from the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC). Founded in 2015, the ETC was launched by Royal Dutch Shell. Executives from BHP Billiton, GE Oil and Gas and Statoil are also members. The report stated that zero-carbon sources could constitute 80% of the global energy mix by 2040, with solar and wind power providing most of the supply. This marks a reversal of the current situation in which 80% of energy production is provided by fossil fuels.
The almost total decarbonization of power generation and the electrification of a wider set of activities could deliver half the necessary emission cuts by 2040. The collapsing cost of renewables and batteries makes this more achievable and faster than assumed. Governments must reinforce the progress already underway.

Stronger public policy and large-scale investment is now required in the decarbonization of activities – particularly in heavy industry – which cannot be electrified. We know the technologies which might achieve this – such as bioenergy, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage – but progress on cost reduction and scale deployment has been far too slow.