Europe Achieves Record-Breaking Year in Clean Energy Adoption, While Trump Administration Steers US Back to Fossil Fuels

Europe Sets Record for Clean Energy Use as Trump Pushes US Toward Fossil Fuels

A new report reveals that 47% of the European Union’s electricity now comes from solar and other renewable sources, highlighting the growing divide between the EU’s clean energy ambitions and the U.S.’s pivot back to fossil fuels under Donald Trump’s leadership.

Nearly three-quarters of Europe’s electricity is now generated without emitting greenhouse gases. Renewables account for 47%, while another 24% comes from nuclear power, according to a study by climate energy think tank Ember. In contrast, countries like the United States and China still rely heavily on carbon-polluting fossil fuels, with two-thirds of their energy coming from coal, oil, and gas. In the U.S., renewable energy makes up just 21% of electricity production.

“Fossil fuels are losing their grip on EU energy,” said Chris Rosslowe, an energy expert at Ember. In 2024, solar power overtook coal for the first time, generating 11% of EU electricity, while wind power continued to outpace gas for the second consecutive year.

Policies and Conflict Drive Europe's Clean Energy Surge

Europe’s accelerated shift toward renewables is fuelled by a mix of ambitious policy and external pressures. The European Green Deal, launched in 2019, laid the groundwork for the bloc’s transition by updating climate laws and setting ambitious targets to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030. The overarching goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

“The Green Deal has been a game-changer,” said Rosslowe. “When it began, renewables made up just a third of Europe’s electricity mix, while fossil fuels accounted for 39%. Now, fossil fuels have dropped to 29%, with wind and solar driving the transition.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also played a significant role. The resulting surge in gas prices made Europe’s reliance on Russian imports untenable, pushing countries to invest in cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives. Portugal, the Netherlands, and Estonia have seen the largest increases in renewable energy production over the past five years.

Europe: A Global Leader in Clean Energy

Europe’s commitment to clean energy has delivered substantial economic and environmental benefits. Since 2019, the bloc has avoided $61 billion in fossil fuel imports for electricity generation.

“This sends a clear message that Europe’s energy future lies in renewables, not imported gas,” said Pieter de Pous, an energy analyst at European think tank E3G. He noted the EU’s transformation from a coal-and-steel community into a “community of solar, wind power, batteries, and smart technologies.”

While nuclear energy remains a stable part of Europe’s energy mix, its growth has slowed, with plant retirements outpacing new construction since the mid-2000s.

Meanwhile, the U.S. under Donald Trump has charted a starkly different course, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, revoking clean energy incentives, and doubling down on fossil fuels. Rosslowe argued that the EU’s leadership is now more critical than ever, both for ensuring energy independence and setting an example for global climate action.

As EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put it, “Europe will stay the course and keep working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming.”

Europe’s commitment to renewables positions it not only as a climate leader but as a symbol of what’s possible in the global fight against climate change.