Greatest Failures

The world is getting more of its electricity from renewables but less from nuclear power. If the world is to reduce its carbon emissions and tackle climate change, it needs to move away from fossil fuels to low-carbon power. There are two key sources of low-carbon electricity: renewables — which include solar, wind, hydropower and others — and nuclear power. While rapid growth in solar and wind has increased the amount of electricity coming from renewables, a lack of enthusiasm for nuclear means it’s playing a shrinking role in the global mix. In the chart, you can see the share of global electricity coming from fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear since 1985. Since 2000, nuclear and renewables have followed very different trajectories. Back then, both accounted for a similar share of global electricity. But in 2025, renewables made up more than three times as much: 34% compared to 9%. The total amount of electricity produced by nuclear plants is about the same as it was two decades ago. But because the world produces much more electricity overall, its share of the electricity mix has declined. (written by @_HannahRitchie and @parriagadap)