In 2023, just over 80 per cent of the world’s energy came from the burning of fossil fuels, feeding a climate crisis that is already sparking droughts, floods, superstorms and other calamities. To avoid a full-fledged climate breakdown, the report said countries need to scale up the generation of renewable energy, like wind and solar power. 

They should also electrify fossil-fuel-dominated sectors, like transport, and explore alternative fuels, including hydrogen, for industries that are hard to electrify. At the same time nations need to reduce the demand for power by making buildings more efficient, encouraging people to walk and cycle more, and planning cities that are relatively compact. 

While doing these things it is important for countries to make sure the extraction of so-called energy transition minerals, like the heavy metals used in solar panels, is done in a way that doesn’t damage the environment or deprive communities of their rights.

Information taken from the UN Environment Programme Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7), launched in December 2025, which explores everything from the health of coral reefs to the status of the ozone layer