75 state and regional governments around the world are advancing the global transition to renewables according to a new report by The Climate Group and CDP. The report has been released ahead of the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in December (COP25). The Global States and Regions Annual Disclosure 2019, the most comprehensive account of state and regional climate action released to date, summarises data from 124 states and regions from 35 countries, representing $17 trillion – 20% of the global economy, with a combined population of 669 million people.

It reveals that 75 states and regions are now powering their economies with 45% renewable electricity. By comparison, only 25% of global electricity is renewable. Seven states and regions from across Norway, Sweden, Brazil and Peru are already powered by 100% renewable electricity, and a further five have committed to achieving this target. Even more encouragingly, some governments are going beyond just producing and consuming electricity from renewable sources. Seven states and regions, including Catalonia, Spain and Thuringia, Germany, have set ambitious plans to decarbonise their entire energy mix across all sectors such as industry, agriculture and transport.

Tim Ash Vie, Director of the Under2 Coalition of states and regions at The Climate Group, said: “States and regions are crucial actors in addressing the climate crisis. They have the power to make significant emissions reductions across areas such as energy generation, land use and transport.” Kyra Appleby, Global Director, Cities, […]