Many of the articles we published in 2023 show that, although there has been a strong increase in low-carbon technologies such as solar, wind, and electric heat pumps, more-urgent global momentum and collaboration across the energy value chain is needed. As the world strives to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement, investment in a broad and balanced portfolio of low-carbon solutions is one of the most critical levers for accelerating the transition.
According to McKinsey’s Global Energy Perspective 2023, total annual investments in the energy sector overall are projected to grow by 2 to 4 percent per annum, roughly in line with global GDP growth, to reach between $2.0 trillion and $3.2 trillion by 2040. Furthermore, decarbonization technologies demonstrate the highest levels of investment growth at 6 to 11 percent per annum, driven predominantly by the strong uptake of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
Our annual compendium collects a representative selection of articles with findings that help illustrate the evolving net-zero landscape. We hope it offers new insights as the transition continues apace.