Asia Dominates Global Clean Energy Research Boom While West Lags, Nature Index Reveals
The march towards clean energy adoption seems unstoppable, despite the new US administration’s drive to extract even more fossil fuel. Latest data shows that an incredible 91% of new power capacity came from wind and solar. Just in the first half of 2024, the renewable sector pulled in over $313 billion in investments. Global renewable energy capacity saw an impressive growth of 15.1% in 2024, reaching a total of 4,448 gigawatts (GW). Across the world, an extra 585 GW of power was added, primarily thanks to the expansion of solar and wind energy, according to figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
On another note, fresh data from the Nature Index reveals a significant gap in global clean-energy research. The Asia Pacific region is racing ahead, while much of the Western world seems to be lagging. Between 2019 and 2023, countries in the Asia Pacific doubled their research output in affordable and clean energy, as measured by the Index’s Share metric, positioning the region as a leader in innovation. In contrast, contributions from North America, Europe, and other areas have remained stagnant, highlighting a growing geographical imbalance in the quest for sustainable energy solutions.
Recent advancements suggest that Asia is on the brink of breakthrough technologies that could harness fusion for limitless energy. Scientists are making thrilling strides toward clean, nearly infinite energy through nuclear fusion—the same process that fuels the sun. One of the main challenges has been managing the super-fast particles generated during fusion reactions, which can either support the reaction or throw it off balance.
Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed new computer simulations that accurately depict how these particles behave under the extreme conditions of fusion reactors. These innovative tools are helping to optimize reactor designs, bringing us closer to practical fusion power plants that could deliver vast amounts of clean energy without any greenhouse gas emissions.
China is leading the charge in the clean energy revolution, outpacing the United States by producing more than three times the amount of clean-energy research during the same timeframe. With a staggering Share of over 24,000 from 2019 to 2024, China’s contributions far exceed those of other leading nations like Germany, South Korea, and Japan. In fact, the combined output of the next nine countries in the top 10—all of which fall below 6,000 Share—pales in comparison, underscoring
China’s significant role in shaping the future of renewable energy technologies. But it’s not just about the sheer volume of research. Among the top 40 global hubs for clean-energy research, Chinese institutions are also at the forefront in terms of specialization. Six out of the ten locations with the highest concentration of clean-energy studies relative to their total research output are in China, including the University of Science and Technology of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
This level of focus indicates a strategic commitment to sustainable energy within national research agendas, a trend that seems less pronounced in other major economies. Collaboration plays a crucial role in solidifying China’s influence. The country appears in seven of the ten most prolific bilateral research partnerships focused on clean energy.
The top five partnerships all involve China, with its collaboration with the U.S. yielding the highest output. Interestingly, partnerships with Australia and Singapore—nations with much smaller populations—are not far behind, showcasing the global scientific community’s reliance on Chinese expertise.
As a Nature Index analyst pointed out, “No single country can tackle climate change alone. But these partnerships reveal where the intellectual heavy lifting is happening.” The findings raise questions about the West’s ability to keep pace. While the U.S. remains a key player, its output plateaued even as Asian nations accelerated. Experts warn this divergence could reshape not only the clean-energy innovation landscape but also global economic and geopolitical dynamics. As nations scramble to meet climate goals, the data suggests Asia—and China in particular—is positioning itself as the engine of tomorrow’s energy solutions, leaving other regions to play catch-up in a critical field for planetary survival.