Between the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS and Science Act, the United States — the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter — has made monumental strides in shifting to a clean energy economy. In fact, in many ways 2023 was a record-breaking year for U.S. renewables. The country installed 31 gigawatts of solar energy capacity in 2023, more than double that of 2022. At the same time, despite news of an electric vehicle slowdown, a record 1.2 million EVs were sold in the U.S. in 2023.

Yet obstacles remain. Persistent supply chain shortages, the resumption of solar tariffs in 2024 and slow permitting processes are all roadblocks to faster renewable energy deployment.

WRI experts break down the current state of the U.S. clean energy transition and forecast what the future will hold. Read more.

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EV sales have grown exponentially; in 2022, 10% of all passenger vehicles sold were electric, 10 times more than 2017. But to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, EVs must make up 75%-95% of global passenger vehicle sales by 2030. A number of countries are leading the charge, proving that a rapid scale-up is possible. Read more.

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A new study reveals a concerning future for the Atlantic Ocean, where melting Arctic ice could disrupt ocean circulation and the temperature and weather patterns affected by it. The study is yet another sign that the ocean is increasingly susceptible to climate change. But if properly managed, it’s also one of the world’s most important climate solutions. Research commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy found that ocean-based climate action — from installing offshore wind turbines to restoring mangroves and other “blue carbon” ecosystems — can deliver up to 35% of the emissions cuts needed by 2050. Read more.

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Wasted food accounts for about 8%-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and if current trends continue, food loss and waste will double by 2050. WRI experts explain why we throw away so much food, how to reduce it and the myriad benefits of doing so. Read more.

Renewable energy — like solar and wind power — and energy storage were 2023’s leaders in new utility-scale energy generation in the United States. But despite this growth, renewable energy installations need to come even faster to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.