RENEWABLE energy, derived from renewable natural resources replenished on a human timescale, has rapidly become more efficient and cheaper over the past 30 years. The International Energy Agency defines it as "energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a faster rate than they are consumed." A large majority of worldwide newly installed electricity capacity is now renewable. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, have seen significant cost reductions over the past decade, making them more competitive with traditional fossil fuels.
The main motivation to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources is to slow and eventually stop climate change, mostly caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency estimates that to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, 90 percent of global electricity generation will need to be produced from renewable sources.
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