15 SIGNALS: EVIDENCE THE ENERGY TRANSITION IS UNDERWAY

The report identifies 15 'signals' indicating a global energy transition, including the rapid growth of renewable energy capacity, falling solar PV costs, and record investments in green energy. It highlights China's leading role in renewable investment and the decline of the coal industry. The document also notes the rise of city-level climate actions and the growth of the green bond market, while advocating for a 'just transition' that addresses energy poverty and social equity.

• Renewable energy is increasingly dominating new electricity generation, accounting for approximately 90 per cent of new global capacity in 2015, with wind power contributing more than half of that share.
• The cost of solar PV technology has dropped significantly, decreasing by over 80 per cent between 2009 and 2015, and is projected to fall by up to 59 per cent more by 2025.
• Global investment in renewable power and fuels reached a record US$285.9 billion in 2015, which was more than double the US$130 billion invested in new coal and natural gas generation.
• China is the global leader in renewable energy capacity, investment, and employment, with investments topping US$102.9 billion by 2015 and providing 3.5 million jobs. However, it faces infrastructure challenges, with wind power curtailment reaching 21 per cent in the first half of 2016.
• The coal industry is in decline globally; two-thirds of planned coal plants since 2010 have been abandoned or delayed, and major companies like Peabody Energy filed for bankruptcy in 2016.
• Global energy-related CO2 emissions remained flat for two consecutive years in 2015 despite 3 per cent economic growth, suggesting a weakening link between economic expansion and emissions.
• The green bond market has expanded rapidly from nearly zero in 2007 to US$118 billion by mid-2016, with China issuing US$8.2 billion in the first quarter of 2016 alone.
• Sub-Saharan Africa has become the world's largest market for off-grid solar products, selling 1.37 million units in 2015, although 53 per cent of the region still lacks electricity access.

APA

WWF International (2016). 15 SIGNALS: EVIDENCE THE ENERGY TRANSITION IS UNDERWAY. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/359/1mp6ieu2xn_20160823_SIGNALS_EnglishVersion_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. 15 SIGNALS: EVIDENCE THE ENERGY TRANSITION IS UNDERWAY. 2016. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/359/1mp6ieu2xn_20160823_SIGNALS_EnglishVersion_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=15 SIGNALS: EVIDENCE THE ENERGY TRANSITION IS UNDERWAY |date=September 2016 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/359/1mp6ieu2xn_20160823_SIGNALS_EnglishVersion_FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2016signals, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{15 SIGNALS: EVIDENCE THE ENERGY TRANSITION IS UNDERWAY}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2016}, month = sep, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/359/1mp6ieu2xn_20160823_SIGNALS_EnglishVersion_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }