Europe achieves unprecedented clean energy usage while Trump redirects US focus to fossil fuels.

A new report indicates that a historic 47% of the European Union’s electricity is sourced from solar and other renewable energies, highlighting a stark contrast between the EU’s commitment to clean energy and the recent direction taken by the new U.S. administration towards fossil fuels.

According to findings by the climate energy think tank Ember, nearly 75% of the EU’s electricity is generated without emitting greenhouse gases. This includes 24% generated from nuclear power, which also has no carbon emissions. This achievement stands out compared to nations like the United States and China, where approximately two-thirds of the electricity still relies on polluting fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Experts are optimistic about Europe’s reduction in fossil fuel usage, especially when the U.S. appears on track to increase its emissions. This trend comes as the U.S. government expresses intentions to lower gas prices, halts leasing for wind energy projects, and considers repealing incentives for electric vehicles introduced under the previous administration.

“Fossil fuels are steadily diminishing in dominance within the EU’s energy sector,” noted Chris Rosslowe, an energy analyst at Ember. By 2024, solar energy accounted for 11% of the EU’s electricity, marking the first instance where coal production fell below 10%. Wind energy has also surpassed natural gas for electricity generation for the second consecutive year.

While comprehensive data for 2024 was not available for all EU nations, 2023 statistics from Ember show Brazil leading globally in renewable electricity generation share at nearly 89%, predominantly from hydroelectric sources. Canada follows with roughly 66.5%, while China, France, the U.S., and India hold shares of 30.6%, 26.5%, 22.7%, and 19.5%, respectively.

The rapid progress in Europe towards clean energy is significantly driven by the 2019 European Green Deal. This extensive policy established updated climate legislation, with an ambitious target to reduce emissions by 55% by the decade’s end and an overarching aim for climate neutrality by 2050, resulting in minimal additional emissions.

Numerous regulations and directives have been enacted across European nations to foster investments in renewable energy and minimize carbon emissions. “Initially, renewables constituted a third of energy while fossil fuels made up 39% of Europe’s electricity supply,” Rosslowe explained. “Now, fossil fuels account for only 29%, with wind and solar leading the charge in the clean energy transition.” Notably, the production of electricity via nuclear energy has not seen significant changes within the bloc.

The ongoing conflict from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further accelerated Europe’s shift towards renewable sources due to soaring gas prices and the unsustainability of relying on Russian gas. Countries like Portugal, the Netherlands, and Estonia have reported substantial increases in clean energy generation over the past five years.

This transition has allowed Europe to avoid over $61 billion in fossil fuel imports for electricity generation since 2019. “This emphasizes a decisive message that the EU’s energy demands will be satisfied through clean energy sources rather than gas imports,” commented Pieter de Pous, energy analyst at European think tank E3G. He pointed out the historical significance of coal and steel industries in shaping the EU, stating it is now evolving into a hub of solar, wind power, batteries, and advanced technologies.

In contrast, growth in nuclear energy within the EU is lagging, with the closure of facilities outpacing new builds since around the mid-2000s, according to Global Energy Monitor.

With the current U.S. administration strategically distancing itself from the Paris Agreement and adopting a resource-extraction energy policy, the EU’s commitment to clean power becomes increasingly crucial. “It’s not only about enhancing Europe’s energy independence but also demonstrating global leadership in climate action,” said Rosslowe.

In a recent address, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to its environmental goals, stating, “Europe will persist in our efforts and collaborate with all nations dedicated to preserving nature and combating global warming.”