Global Investment in Clean Energy Continues to Rise

The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that global clean energy investment is increasing year on year. The IEA estimates that over US$1.4 trillion was invested in 2022, accounting for almost three-quarters of overall energy investment growth.

The IEA notes that following the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the growth rate of clean energy investment was just over 2% for five years.

"Since 2020, this figure has increased to 12%, far from what is needed to achieve international climate goals, but still a significant step in the right direction," the IEA wrote.

In 2021, the highest clean energy investment was in China at US$380 billion, followed by the European Union at US$260 billion, and the United States at US$215 billion.

The data shows that renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage networks received significant investment.

Renewable energy, derived from inexhaustible natural resources, includes wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and rain energy.

Energy efficiency can be achieved through increased ventilation, improved air ventilation systems, minimized electricity use, solar panel installation, and rainwater harvesting.

(See also: Indonesia Needs Rp4.7 Quadrillion Investment for Energy Transition)

Energy storage networks typically utilize accumulators, which can store electrical, thermal, chemical, and other forms of energy. Batteries also fall under this category.

Investment in electric vehicles has increased significantly over the past two years. Investment in low-carbon fuels and CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) has remained relatively stagnant.

The following data shows global clean energy investment compiled by the IEA:

* 2017
* Renewable energy: US$326 billion
* Energy efficiency and end-use: US$376 billion
* Energy storage networks: US$322 billion
* Nuclear: US$37 billion
* Electric vehicles: US$5 billion
* Low-carbon fuels and CCUS: US$11 billion

* 2018
* Renewable energy: US$359 billion
* Energy efficiency: US$376 billion
* Energy storage networks: US$315 billion
* Nuclear: US$34 billion
* Electric vehicles: US$13 billion
* Low-carbon fuels and CCUS: US$10 billion

* 2019
* Renewable energy: US$393 billion
* Energy efficiency: US$390 billion
* Energy storage networks: US$296 billion
* Nuclear: US$35 billion
* Electric vehicles: US$19 billion
* Low-carbon fuels and CCUS: US$10 billion

* 2020
* Renewable energy: US$418 billion
* Energy efficiency: US$355 billion
* Energy storage networks: US$298 billion
* Nuclear: US$40 billion
* Electric vehicles: US$27 billion
* Low-carbon fuels and CCUS: US$10 billion

* 2021
* Renewable energy: US$446 billion
* Energy efficiency: US$430 billion
* Energy storage networks: US$317 billion
* Nuclear: US$44 billion
* Electric vehicles: US$55 billion
* Low-carbon fuels and CCUS: US$16 billion

* 2022 (estimate)
* Renewable energy: US$472 billion
* Energy efficiency: US$470 billion
* Energy storage networks: US$337 billion
* Nuclear: US$49 billion
* Electric vehicles: US$93 billion
* Low-carbon fuels and CCUS: US$19 billion

(See also: IEA: Renewable Energy Power Plants Will Overtake Coal-Fired Plants by 2027)