6:1 – a ratio to successfully transform our energy system

The document advocates for a radical shift in banking practices to support the energy transition, specifically calling for a 6:1 investment ratio in favor of sustainable power supply over fossil fuels. Based on IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) projections, the author argues that total annual energy sector investments must rise to US$4.7 trillion by 2030, with energy transition investments exceeding US$4.2 trillion. Reclaim Finance emphasizes that this ratio should specifically target sustainable technologies—solar PV, wind, grids, and storage—while excluding biomass, nuclear energy, and Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS), which it deems too risky or damaging. The document concludes that banks should set specific targets for sustainable power, end all support for fossil fuel expansion, and incorporate the 6:1 ratio into credible climate transition plans.

• To meet the IEA's Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario, total annual energy sector investments must increase from US$2.8 trillion in 2023 to US$4.7 trillion by 2030, while annual investments in the energy transition specifically must grow from US$1.8 trillion in 2023 to over US$4.2 trillion by 2030.
• The IEA NZE scenario implies a 10:1 overall ratio for the energy transition by 2030, which breaks down into a 6:1 ratio for clean power supply and a 4:1 ratio for energy efficiency and end-uses relative to fossil fuel investment.
• Reclaim Finance argues that banks' energy transition targets should be narrowed from the IEA's broad 'clean' definition to focus exclusively on 'sustainable power' (solar PV, wind, grids, and storage), excluding nuclear energy, biomass, and Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS) due to environmental, social, and climate risks.
• To align with climate science, banks are urged to immediately stop supporting fossil fuel expansion at both corporate and project levels and to publicly disclose frameworks that limit financing to sustainable power supply.

APA

Martin, L. (2024). 6:1 – a ratio to successfully transform our energy system. Reclaim Finance. https://reclaimfinance.org/site/en/2024/02/06/61-a-ratio-to-successfully-transform-our-energy-system/

Chicago

Martin, Léo. 6:1 – a ratio to successfully transform our energy system. Reclaim Finance, 2024. https://reclaimfinance.org/site/en/2024/02/06/61-a-ratio-to-successfully-transform-our-energy-system/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Martin |first1=Léo |title=6:1 – a ratio to successfully transform our energy system |publisher=Reclaim Finance |date=6 February 2024 |url=https://reclaimfinance.org/site/en/2024/02/06/61-a-ratio-to-successfully-transform-our-energy-system/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{martin2024ratio, author = {Martin, Léo}, title = {{6:1 – a ratio to successfully transform our energy system}}, publisher = {Reclaim Finance}, year = {2024}, month = feb, url = {https://reclaimfinance.org/site/en/2024/02/06/61-a-ratio-to-successfully-transform-our-energy-system/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }