Slow Renewable Uptake in Asia-Pacific Transport

ATO - 2024-10-15

The Asia-Pacific region saw a minor increase in the use of renewable energy for transport, reaching a mere 3% in 2021, up from 1.6% in 2015. The transport sector continues to lag behind other sectors in terms of energy diversification despite the availability and potential of alternatives such as electrification, renewable hydrogen, biofuels, biomethane etc.

Transport energy consumption - share of electricity and biofuel

Source: (IEA et al., 2024)

The Asia-Pacific region lags the global average in utilizing renewable energy for electricity generation, achieving only 29.5% compared to the global 35%. This disparity underscores the region's slower shift towards clean energy sources for power production. Despite this, there has been progress, with the average grid emission factor decreasing from 635 gCO2/kWh in 2015 to 581 gCO2/kWh in 2022.

Share of renewables in electricity generation (2000 - 2021)

Source: ATO visualization based on IRENAStats (International Renewable Energy Agency, 2024)


Find out more about the associated report here:
Transport Decarbonisation in Asia: A Glass Half-Full or Half-Empty? A Primer for COP-29
Download the report