On 21 September 2026, the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Simon Stiell, delivered a keynote speech at the summit in New York. He emphasized that thanks to the global development of renewable energy, humanity avoided nearly half a trillion dollars in fossil fuel costs last year.
Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show that in 2025 a record 693 GW of renewable energy capacity was added. That is more than half of the entire installed power generation capacity of the United States.
The savings — nearly 500 billion dollars — exceed the GDP of more than three quarters of the world's countries. According to Stiell, this is a "huge decarbonization dividend."
Investments in clean energy have also reached impressive scale: last year alone they exceeded 2 trillion dollars. Such investments stimulate job creation and economic growth around the world.
Stiell noted that the Paris Agreement and COP decisions have contributed to the energy revolution, although the transition remains uneven and vulnerable countries need additional support. But are current rates sufficient to achieve the goals of tripling renewable energy by 2030?
Progress is evident, yet Stiell emphasized: pointing to achievements is important not for complacency, but to counter disinformation and show that the fight against climate change is a winning battle.
