Clean Energy Investment Surges to $2.2 Trillion in 2025, Doubling Fossil Fuel Spending

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global investment in clean energy technologies and infrastructure is projected to reach $2.2 trillion in 2025, doubling the amount allocated to fossil fuels. Total energy sector investments will rise 2% from 2024 to $3.3 trillion. China is leading the global shift, accounting for nearly as much investment as the U.S. and EU combined, and driving growth in both clean and coal energy. Solar energy leads clean technology spending with $450 billion expected, boosted by increased exports to emerging economies like Pakistan. Nuclear energy investment has surged 50% over the past five years, surpassing $70 billion in 2025 amid interest in advanced technologies like small modular reactors. Despite this shift, fossil fuel investment remains significant, as China and India continue to approve new coal projects. Notably, no advanced economy placed new coal turbine orders in 2024. Oil investments are expected to decline for the first time in a decade (excluding the pandemic period) due to market uncertainty and soft demand. However, current investment levels fall short of targets set at COP28, especially in energy efficiency and electrification, which must nearly triple to meet energy intensity goals by 2030.