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Energy and AI AI and climate change
The emergence of AI has both raised concerns that AI-fuelled data centre growth might fuel climate change and also raised expectations that AI applications in the energy sector could help reduce emissions by unlocking new optimisations and efficiencies. As over 100 countries – and the European Union – have targets to reach net zero emissions between 2030 and 2070, it is pertinent to explore what AI’s impact on emissions could potentially be. Global fuel combustion CO2 emissions are estimated to reach 35 000 million tonnes (Mt) in 2024. Data centres account for around 180 Mt of indirect CO2 emissions today from the consumption…
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Tamara Babayan
Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank.
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Global Hydrogen Review 2026 Investment and innovation
Capital spending on low-emissions hydrogen projects reached nearly USD 7 billion in 2025, nearly double the 2024 level and equal to 0.7% of global investment in energy supply. Investment in electrolysis overtook investment in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)-based hydrogen, thanks to a stronger pipeline, higher capital intensity and faster project progress, and could account for around 70% of nearly USD 10 billion in investment in 2026.China and Europe lead committed electrolysis projects, with China accounting for more than 60% of capacity by 2026 and 25% of estimated investment. Europe represents less than 20% of capacity but 45% of…
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Scaling Up Transition Finance Executive Summary
Successful transitions need finance that goes where the emissions are Actions by the world’s most emissions-intensive sectors, companies, and countries are crucial to placing the world on a sustainable pathway. Yet, investments that could deliver meaningful reductions in their environmental footprint often do not receive sufficient financial support. Currently, finance is drawn heavily to certain “green” assets and activities—most prominently renewable power. While vital, these investments alone cannot deliver all the changes needed to cut global emissions, especially in areas where clean technologies are not yet commercially available or cost competitive. This is where transition finance comes…
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Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency for Business Turning the opportunity into reality
Across sectors, the evidence consistently shows that the value of energy efficiency extends far beyond energy savings, often matching or even exceeding them.A key challenge is that much of this value is not systematically captured in investment decisions. Business cases are often built on energy savings alone, overlooking gains in productivity, resource efficiency, product quality, brand reputation and workforce health. Reflecting these wider benefits can significantly strengthen investment cases and improve how efficiency projects compete for capital.This report draws on available evidence to highlight these broader benefits and why they matter in practice. The steps below show how…
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Breakthrough Agenda Report 2026 Hydrogen
Hydrogen
- Executive summary
- Hydrogen
- Road transport
- Steel
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+ 3 pages
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Kristina Klimovich
Programme Officer - Energy Efficiency Hub.
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Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane Key findings
Biogases are a hidden solution to many of today’s energy security and sustainability challenges. They turn waste into sustainable, low-emissions fuels. The attraction of biogases lies in the integration of energy, environment, waste and emissions policies and targets. Biogas can be used directly as heat by households and industry, and to produce electricity. Biomethane, which is an upgraded form of biogas, is a locally sourced, drop-in substitute for natural gas. This report assesses the global potential and costs of developing biogas and biomethane using a first-of-a-kind geospatial analysis. It provides detailed country- and region…
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Global Hydrogen Review 2025 Southeast Asia
Highlights Hydrogen demand in Southeast Asia reached 4 Mt in 2024, almost 4% of the global total. Hydrogen production accounted for about 8% of the regional gas supply and 1% of regional CO2 emissions. Indonesia represents over a third of regional demand, followed by Malaysia (22%), Viet Nam (15%) and Singapore (12%). Nearly half of all demand is for ammonia, of which two-thirds comes from Indonesia alone. Refining accounts for a third of demand, with 40% located in Singapore; methanol represents the remaining 20%, with 69% in Malaysia. The region currently exports ammonia (15% of production) and imports methanol.Indonesia, Lao…
