A sustainable use of limited natural resources is inconceivable without increasing the use of renewable energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2019 renewable energy use was very low in Saudi Arabia (0.03% of final energy consumption) and the Russian Federation (3%). By contrast, countries such as Brazil (48%), India (33%) and Canada (22%) made comparatively extensive use of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, hydropower or geothermal energy.
Electricity generation
According to World Energy Outlook 2021 (Tables for scenario projections, Table A.3a) global electricity generation from renewable energy sources totalled 7,593 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2020. Almost two thirds (57%) were generated by hydropower, followed by wind power (21%), solar energy (11%), biomass (9%) and geothermal energy (1%).