Doubling global renewables by 2030 could save $4.2tn – research

Doubling the share of clean energy in the global energy mix would create more jobs, save millions of lives and limit global warming, say researchers

Doubling the share of renewables in the global energy mix to 36% by 2030 could save the world economy up to $4.2tn a year, research by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) showed on Wednesday.

Renewable sources, such as wind and solar, accounted for around 18% of global energy consumption in 2014. Under existing national policies, the share of renewables is forecast to reach 21% by 2030.