Renewable energy targets and other support policies now in place in 164 countries (up 20 from the year before) powered the growth of solar, wind and other green technologies to record-breaking energy generation capacity in 2014. According to REN21's latest Renewables Global Status Report, with 135 gigawatts added last year, total installed renewable energy power capacity worldwide, including large hydroelectric plants, stood at 1712 gigawatts, up 8.5% from the year before and double the 800 gigawatts of capacity reported 10 years earlier.

That helped the world achieve a sustainable development milestone: In 2014, for the first time, the world economy and energy use grew without a parallel rise in carbon dioxide emissions. Despite the world's annual 1.5% increase in energy consumption in recent years and 3% Gross Domestic Product growth last year, CO2 emissions were unchanged from 2013 levels: 32.3 billion metric tons.

The renewable energy sector's growth could be even greater if not for over $550 billion in annual subsidies for fossil fuel and nuclear energy, which perpetuate artificially low energy prices from those sources, encouraging waste and impeding competition, the report says.

Arthouros Zervos, who chairs Paris-based REN21, launched the 2015 report at the Vienna Energy Forum today, Thursday, 18 June, 15:00 CET.

The landmark “decoupling” of economic and CO2 growth is due in large measure to China's increased use of renewable resources, and efforts by countries in the OECD to promote more sustainable growth — including increased use of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“Renewable energy and improved energy efficiency are key to limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius and avoiding dangerous climate change,”says REN21 Chair Arthouros Zervos, who released the new report at the Vienna Energy Forum. Thanks to supportive policies now in place in at least 145 countries (up from 138 countries reported last year), worldwide power generation capacity from wind, solar photovoltaic and hydro sources alone were up 128 GW from 2013. As of end 2014 renewables comprised and estimated 27.7% of the world’s power generating capacity, enough to supply an estimated 22.8% of global electricity demand.

Available at www.ren21.net/gsr, REN21's Renewables Global Status Report is the 10th edition of the world's most frequently-referenced report on the global green energy market, industry and policy landscape. It is the collaborative result of collaboration of 500+ experts worldwide.

The country data is featured in a new REN21 Renewables Interactive Map: www.ren21.net/map.