In 2022, the global community was astonished by catastrophic floods in Pakistan caused by melting glaciers. These floods displaced a significant portion of the country’s population and severely damaged crucial power infrastructure.
In the aftermath, a shift towards clean energy, particularly solar power, became evident. The province of Sindh reconstructed homes with solar panels, sourced directly from China. Pakistan’s embrace of solar energy was so enthusiastic that in 2024, they added 22 gigawatts of solar power capacity, surpassing Canada’s historical installations.
This trend reflects the accelerating global transition to renewable energy, notably in developing nations leveraging the decreasing costs of solar and wind power. Concurrently, the United States, a leading oil producer, is intensifying its focus on fossil fuels while striving to expand its carbon-emitting energy market.
During the recent UN climate summit, COP30 in Belem, Brazil, discussions on phasing out fossil fuels emerged prominently, indicating a growing global momentum towards clean energy adoption. Despite the inability to reach a conclusive agreement, approximately 80 countries endorsed a transition proposal, including major European economies and climate-vulnerable developing nations.
Andreas Sieber from 350.org emphasized the disparity between the global push for clean energy and the US stance on fossil fuels. Sieber highlighted China’s significant economic growth from green technology and India’s ambitious solar industry plans, signaling a clear trajectory towards renewable energy adoption worldwide.
The world is on the brink of breaching the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming threshold agreed upon in the Paris Agreement. While global fossil fuel emissions continue to rise, renewable energy sources are gaining ground due to cost efficiencies. Renewables outpaced coal in generating electricity for the first time in 2025, with projections indicating a doubling of global renewable power capacity in the next five years.
At COP30, countries gravitated towards China’s pavilion to partake in the burgeoning renewable energy revolution. China’s dominance in electric vehicle production and its role in reducing solar panel costs and controlling critical mineral supplies for clean energy technologies underscore its leadership in the clean energy transition.
The persistent challenge lies in subsidies for fossil fuels worldwide, which hinder the faster transition to renewables. Sieber emphasized the need to address these subsidies to accelerate the global shift toward cleaner energy alternatives.
The absence of the US delegation at COP30 marked a shift towards a multi-polar climate leadership model. Countries like China, Brazil, and India are assuming more prominent roles in shaping climate priorities and negotiations, given the evolving global dynamics.
Looking ahead, discussions on fossil fuel transition face obstacles, with opposition from petrostates hindering progress. Colombia and the Netherlands are set to co-host an international summit focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels, building on the momentum from COP30. The evolving energy landscape necessitates a reevaluation of investments in oil and gas projects, with a growing emphasis on clean energy solutions and economic self-interest driving the transition towards a sustainable energy future.