• Country

        United Kingdom

        The United Kingdom has been an early player in the energy transition, being among the first countries to set a net zero target by 2050 and to put in place carbon budgets. UK emissions have already fallen by around 50% since 1990, indicating a strong start. Looking ahead, an important pillar of the energy transition will be decarbonising the power sector through sizeable new investments in renewables and nuclear while also focusing on new technologies such as CCUS, hydrogen and small modular reactors. As a historic oil and gas producer, the UK is looking to address declining North Sea production…

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        • Country

        China

        …The government is pushing for emissions reductions and improved air quality by switching to gas in industrial and residential sectors, but China’s coal fleet is young, highly efficient and still ten times larger than its gas-fired fleet. At the prevailing gas prices, new onshore wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) are much cheaper ways to generate electricity than new combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs). Under these circumstances, the major contribution of gas-fired generation to displacing coal is likely to be an indirect one, by aiding the integration of renewables.
        The policy challenge is to ensure sufficient investment in…

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        • Country

        Estonia

        Estonia has achieved a notable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions thanks mainly to lowering its reliance on electricity generation from domestic oil shale, an energy rich sedimentary rock. However, oil shale remains the main energy source and imported fossil fuels still plan a major role, especially in transport. Estonia’s forests, which historically offset significant greenhouse gas emissions, have become a net emissions source. Estonia is aiming to accelerate its clean energy transition with a target to cover 100% of annual electricity demand with renewables by 2030 as part of a larger package to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. It…

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        • Country

        Denmark

        Denmark has been an early leader in decarbonisation and in 2022 the government announced a net zero by 2045 target, aiming at 110% emissions reductions by 2050. Denmark’s technology leadership is important in the areas of offshore wind, biomethane and district heating. The government has expanded these categories to adopt a strategic focus on carbon capture and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen. The government has a robust energy and climate governance under the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and ‘the year wheel’ of Climate Act of 2020 ensures annual policy actions and funding. Among IEA countries, Denmark has…

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        • Country

        Korea

        Korea has set a target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 by substantially increasing the share of renewable energy sources, gradually phasing out coal, significantly improving energy efficiency and fostering the country’s nascent hydrogen industry. Korea’s energy sector is characterised by a dominance of fossil fuels, a strong dependence on energy imports and one of the highest shares of industrial energy use among IEA countries. Korea aims to leverage the fourth industrial revolution for its energy transition and to foster green growth by means of low-carbon technologies and clean energy. Due to Korea’s high share of…

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        • Country

        Sweden

        …gas emissions 59% by 2030 compared with 2005, and to have a net-zero carbon economy by 2045. Sweden was the first country to introduce carbon pricing and has the highest carbon price in the world, which has proven effective at driving decarbonisation. Most of Sweden’s electricity supply comes from hydro and nuclear, along with a growing contribution from wind. Heating is supplied mainly through bioenergy-based district heating and heat pumps.
        Most of Sweden’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the transport sector, which remains reliant on oil. The government has a target to reduce transport emissions by…

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        • Country

        Belgium

        Belgium’s energy policy is focused on transitioning to a low-carbon economy while ensuring energy security, lowering costs for consumers and increasing market competition. Belgium has made progress on these goals, notably as a global leader in offshore wind. The country is also seeing a rapid uptake of electric vehicles. However, Belgium remains reliant on fossil fuels and more aggressive policies are needed accelerate emissions reductions, especially for the industry sector.

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        • Country

        Germany

        Germany’s Climate Law sets out the framework for reaching net zero emissions by 2045. In order to achieve the ambitious Energiewende by 2030, 80% of all electricity supply will need to come from renewable energy sources (and 100% by 2035) and coal is to be completely phased out. Germany has been an early leader in offshore wind and solar PV and phased out nuclear power in 2023. Major legislative reforms in renewable energy planning and siting support targets of 100-110 GW of onshore wind, 30 GW offshore wind and 200 GW solar, alongside investments in 10 GW of…

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        • Country

        Italy

        Italy aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and is on track to reach its 2030 targets for emissions reductions and energy efficiency, aiming to reach 30% of renewables in total energy consumption and 55% of renewables in electricity generation. The country has experienced notable growth in the renewable energy sector and has successfully integrated large volumes of variable renewable generation. Natural gas is a major source for electricity and heating, therefore Italy has strengthened its energy security by diversifying natural gas supply, making use of the pipeline and LNG infrastructure that it has built up over the last decade. Reducing…

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        • Country

        Brazil

        …measure up well against the world’s most urgent energy challenges. Access to electricity across the country is almost universal and renewables meet almost 45% of primary energy demand, making Brazil’s energy sector one of the least carbon-intensive in the world. Total primary energy demand has doubled in Brazil since 1990, led by strong growth in electricity consumption and in demand for transport fuels on the back of robust economic growth and a burgeoning middle class.
        Large hydropower plants account for around 80% of domestic electricity generation, making the Brazilian electricity mix one of the cleanest in the…

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