Green energy can’t yet bend climate curve

Last year, renewable energy installations scaled a landmark, globally. Solar, wind and hydro edged out fossil fuels as the predominant source of power. The world’s two most populous countries, India and China, led the charge in adding clean energy installations. Yet, human activities pushed global warming to 1.37 degrees Celsius in 2025, according to the latest Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC) report, published on Wednesday in the journal Earth System Science Data. That the increase in warming comes at a time when the appetite for clean energy is at record levels frames the scale of the challenge for policymakers the world over. The expansion in renewables, though significant, is still not enough to check the rise in GHG emissions.

Unlike the power sector and, to an extent, the transport sector, large sections of the industry continue to be driven by fossil fuels. Transitioning to cleaner alternatives – green hydrogen, for instance – takes time and requires investments. In the short run, national policies can help by nudging manufacturers towards adopting energy-efficient machines, using recyclable materials, and minimising waste. Recycled aluminium, for instance, requires much less energy than new aluminium. However, sustainable equipment often has high upfront costs. Integrating green technologies with traditional systems requires research and development. All this can be contingent on cooperation between academia and governments, and among governments. Unfortunately, know-how transfer has been the Achilles Heel of global warming mitigation.

Overall Analysis

This editorial examines the paradox of the global climate transition: despite record growth in renewable energy, global warming continues to rise. The author argues that while the expansion of solar, wind, and hydro power is an important achievement, it has not yet reached a scale sufficient to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The editorial begins by highlighting a major milestone—renewable energy has overtaken fossil fuels as the dominant source of new power generation worldwide. Countries such as India and China are praised for leading this transition. However, this optimistic development is immediately contrasted with the alarming finding that global temperatures continue to rise. This contrast forms the central argument of the piece: progress in clean energy is real, but it is not happening fast enough to offset the overall increase in emissions.

The article then explores the reasons behind this challenge. While sectors such as electricity generation and transportation are gradually adopting cleaner technologies, much of the industrial sector remains dependent on fossil fuels. The author emphasizes that transitioning industries to alternatives like green hydrogen requires substantial investment, technological innovation, and time. Through examples such as recycled aluminium, the editorial demonstrates that energy efficiency and sustainability can reduce emissions, but economic and technological barriers remain significant.

The language is analytical and policy-oriented. Rather than criticizing renewable energy efforts, the author stresses the complexity of the climate crisis and the need for a broader, more comprehensive approach. The editorial suggests that governments must encourage sustainable manufacturing, invest in research and development, and create incentives that make green technologies affordable and accessible.

Important Vocabulary (5)

1. Landmark – an important achievement or milestone.
2. Predominant – most important, common, or influential.
3. Transitioning – moving from one system or condition to another.
4. Nudging – encouraging or influencing someone to act in a particular way.
5. Contingent – dependent on certain conditions being met.

Conclusion & Tone

The editorial concludes that the growth of renewable energy is a significant success, but it alone cannot solve the climate crisis. A deeper transformation of industrial processes, stronger policy support, technological innovation, and global cooperation are essential to reduce emissions and slow global warming.

Tone: Analytical, cautionary, and pragmatic.