WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition

As global prosperity grows, so will demand for energy services, such as mobility, heating, cooling and industrial production. The new Energy Transitions Commission report shows that energy productivity improvements can deliver greatly expanded energy services with 24% less energy input than today and dramatically reduce reliance on fossil fuels. By 2050: 🚗 Passenger kilometers could rise 70% ✈️ Air travel could increase 150% 🏠 Cooled floor area could grow 150%, heated area 25% 🏭 Demand for aluminium, petrochemicals, cement, and steel will all expand 💻 AI could drive some efficiency—but also contribute major new energy demand 📖 Read the report: https://bit.ly/3W0DidF #EnergyProductivity #Electrification #EnergyEfficiency

The Energy Transitions Commission's #newreport shows how the world can double global GDP by 2050 while using 24% less #energy than today, proving that global prosperity doesn’t have to be linked to higher energy demand. The key is electrification — switching to cleaner, far more efficient technologies in transport, heating, and industry — alongside smarter appliances and material use. There is a one-time opportunity to unlock major efficiency gains from electrification. If governments act now, they can deliver growth while reducing energy demand and emissions. 📖 Read the report: https://bit.ly/3W0DidF #EnergyProductivity #Electrification #EnergyEfficiency

☀️🔋 Renewable energy is the energy investment of the future 🔋☀️ In the U.S. last year, wind & solar outperformed coal, and with the right policies, it will only continue to help Americans thrive. 📈 From Maine to Texas to California & beyond, this trend is being driven by state-level action. For example, Iowa—the first state to pass a renewable energy portfolio standard—now generates over 60% of its electricity from wind. Despite recent U.S. federal government decisions, coal is the wrong investment in 2025. We need renewables to help meet rising demand, keep costs down, and ensure a stable, reliable grid. Learn why here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dwDfVRhF

🌍 Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for our webinar on “Energy for Equitable Development: Building Blocks and Regional Perspectives.” We were glad to have so many of our partners with us to explore how energy access can support inclusive development and accelerate progress toward SDG7. The discussion highlighted the depth of work being done across regions and sectors—and the importance of collaboration in driving impact. Thank you to our panelists for sharing your insights and expertise: 🔹 Bishal Thapa, Chief Strategy & Impacts Officer, CLASP 🔹 Dymphna van der Lans, CEO, Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) 🔹 Bella Tonkonogy, Senior Director of Programs, Climate Policy Initiative 🔹 Rahul Srinivasan, Senior Energy Specialist, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) 🔹Jonathan Elkind, Fellow and Senior Researcher, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University And to our colleagues: Lanvin Concessao, Harsha Meenawat, Jennifer Layke and Bharath Jairaj for facilitating such an engaging discussion. To learn more about our work on energy access and equitable development, visit: https://bit.ly/42D4xyD #SDG7 #EnergyAccess #EquitableDevelopment #CleanEnergy

#Indonesia has set two ambitious goals: 📈 Grow its economy by 8% per year by 2029 🌿 Reach #netzero emissions by 2060 At first glance, those targets might seem at odds — but a new study from World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia shows they can go hand in hand. With early and decisive investment in clean and efficient energy, Indonesia can sustain 8% annual GDP growth while dramatically cutting power sector emissions to reach its net zero by 2060 goal. Projections show: ⚡Power sector emissions peaking in 2034 at 324 MtCO₂e, before falling to 13.2 MtCO₂e by 2050 💰 Every US$1 billion invested in renewables could generate US$1.41 billion in economic returns 🌏 The #cleanenergy pathway could create 2.8 million #jobs, strengthen energy independence, and improve public health Find out more in our Insights article: https://bit.ly/3W2IUUF World Resources Institute WRI Climate

Where do critical minerals show up in the energy transition? ⚡Not all critical minerals power every clean energy technology. Some are essential to solar panels. Others are indispensable for EV batteries or grid infrastructure. 🔍 This graphic breaks it down: 🔸Copper is used across nearly all technologies—from solar PV to electricity networks. 🔸Nickel and cobalt are especially important for EVs and battery storage. 🔸Lithium is critical for batteries but not widely used in solar or wind. 🔸Other minerals like aluminum, manganese, silicon, and silver also play key roles in the energy transition. ❓And beyond energy? Critical minerals are essential to: 🛡️ Defense systems (NATO includes several on its essential raw materials list) 💻 Electronics (semiconductors in smartphones, lighting, medical devices) 📖 Learn more: http://bit.ly/4o9zHWx #CriticalMinerals #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #EVs #ResponsibleMining

The energy transition is a technological shift. But the technology won't work without critical minerals. Lithium, copper, nickel—critical minerals like these are the hidden enablers of clean energy. They’re essential to scaling EVs, solar panels, wind turbines, and the infrastructure that powers electrification. But where will these minerals come from? And can we meet soaring demand in ways that are responsible and fair? The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition explores these questions in a new explainer video on #criticalminerals and their role in the global #energytransition. #CleanEnergy #ResponsibleMining #GlobalEnergyTransition

Critical minerals are those essential to a country’s economy or development—and often vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. But what’s considered “critical” varies. It depends on: 🌐 A country’s level of access 🏭 What the mineral is used for 📈 Its export value ⚠️ National supply risks Most lists include lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, graphite, and rare earth elements—used in clean energy tech like EVs, solar panels, wind turbines, and power lines. They’re also vital for: 🛡️ Defense systems (NATO includes several on its essential raw materials list) 💻 Electronics (semiconductors in smartphones, lighting, medical devices) 🔍 Rare earth elements are a subset of critical minerals—often not rare, but hard to extract due to low concentrations and complex geology. 📖 Learn more in our explainer: http://bit.ly/4o9zHWx #CriticalMinerals #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #RareEarths