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Global Clean Energy Surges Past 40%—While Trump Backs Fossil Fuels

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 8, 2025

Clean energy has hit a historic milestone, with renewables and nuclear power generating 40.9% of global electricity in 2024, according to a new report from energy think tank Ember. The rapid expansion of clean energy continues despite a policy shift in the U.S., where the Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels.

Key Facts

Renewable energy surged by 858 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2024, a 49% jump from the previous record of 577 TWh in 2022.
Solar power remains the fastest-growing electricity source for the 20th consecutive year, expanding by 29% year-on-year.
Despite its rapid rise, solar still accounts for just 6.9% of low-carbon electricity, while hydroelectric power leads at 14.3%, followed by nuclear (9%) and wind (8.1%).
Nuclear energy has hit its lowest share of clean energy in 45 years.

Quote Of Note

“Solar energy has become a driver of the global energy transition. In just three years, solar power generation has doubled, surpassing 2,000 TWh in 2024. While some countries are stepping back from their climate commitments, the economic advantages of renewables are creating unstoppable global momentum.” — Phil McDonald, Managing Director of Ember

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China And India Lead As U.S. Stalls

While Washington pivots back toward fossil fuels, China and India are accelerating their clean energy transformation. China alone accounted for more than half of the world’s solar power growth in 2024, with renewables meeting 81% of its increasing electricity demand. Meanwhile, India’s solar capacity doubled in 2023, reinforcing the role of emerging economies in reshaping global energy markets.

“The future of the global energy system is being shaped in Asia,” says Professor Xunpeng Shi, president of the International Society for Energy Transition Research. “Their growing reliance on renewables marks a turning point that will accelerate the decline of fossil fuels worldwide.”

Market Forces Vs. Politics

Even as the Trump administration pushes fossil fuels, market forces continue to tip the scales in favor of renewables. The falling costs of solar and battery storage, combined with surging energy demand from AI, data centers, and electric vehicles, are reinforcing clean energy’s dominance.

“Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, the renewable energy industry added another 858 TWh last year—more than the combined electricity consumption of the UK and France,” says Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance.

The Inevitable Shift

Federal policies in the U.S. may slow domestic renewable expansion, but the global trajectory is clear: clean energy growth is outpacing electricity demand, signaling the beginning of a permanent decline in fossil fuel reliance.

Ember’s latest report confirms a stark reality: clean technologies—not coal, oil, or gas—are driving global economic growth. As the world moves forward, the U.S. risks falling behind in the race to lead the clean energy economy.

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Rebuilding the U.S. Rare-Earth Supply Chain Amid Geo-Political Tensions

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 31, 2025

Rare Earths: The Cornerstone of Modern Industries

Rare earth elements, a group of 17 metals essential for advanced technologies, have become pivotal in the global race for technological supremacy. These materials, which power electric vehicles, wind turbines, defense systems, data centers, and high-tech consumer electronics, have long been at the heart of the U.S.-China trade conflict. Once leaders in production, the United States now finds itself reliant on China, which commands approximately 70% of mining and 90% of processing capacity.

China’s Market Dominance and Strategic Leverage

Industry experts emphasize China’s prolonged monopoly in rare earth production. Neha Mukherjee, Rare Earths Research Manager at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, notes that the extremely low production costs in China have effectively locked out competitors from establishing a foothold outside its borders. The situation was dramatically spotlighted when China initiated export controls in April, impacting key sectors such as the automotive industry. As Dewardric McNeal, Managing Director at Longview Global, explains, China has gradually refined its export control strategy, mirroring U.S. measures to counter perceived inequities.

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Securing the U.S. Future: Strategic Investments and Partnerships

In response to growing supply vulnerabilities, the United States is now taking decisive action to develop a robust domestic rare-earth supply chain. The Department of Defense’s $400 million investment in MP Materials—the sole U.S. rare earth mining and production company located at Mountain Pass, California—signals a renewed commitment to reducing dependency on foreign sources. Bolstering this initiative, financial powerhouses Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan have extended a $1 billion loan to support the expansion of MP Materials’ magnet production.

Innovative Expansion Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Innovation is not limited to MP Materials. Energy Fuels, historically known for its uranium operations, has transitioned into rare earths refinement at its White Mesa facility in Utah. The firm has already achieved commercial-scale production of neodymium-praseodymium oxide (NdPr) for manufacturing permanent magnets and is exploring the extraction of other heavy rare earths. CEO Mark Chalmers outlines ambitious plans to boost production capacity, underlining the strategic importance of diversifying rare earth outputs to meet increasing demand from government and commercial sectors.

A Path Forward in a Complex Global Environment

Despite these promising developments, breaking the long-standing dependence on China remains a significant challenge for the U.S. As domestic production scales and strategic investments continue, the evolution of the rare earth industry will be a critical barometer of broader U.S. resilience in global supply chains. The upcoming months will reveal whether these initiatives can forge a sustainable path towards energy security and technological leadership.