2023 was a critical turning point in accelerating bold climate action. The hottest year on record, it was marked by extreme weather events that devastated communities and upended daily lives around the globe. At the same time, it reflected a step-change in progress on the global shift toward climate solutions that benefit people, our economies, and the planet.
ClimateWorks’ 2023 Annual Report: The Moment is Now brings to light a year of stepped-up urgency, demonstrating a renewed commitment to and understanding of the challenges at hand and how to take durable solutions to scale.
Notable milestones include:
- By the end of the year, governments and businesses representing nearly 40% of the world’s transportation demand had committed to 100% electric vehicles by (or before) 2050.
- Annual renewable energy capacity additions increased by nearly 50% in 2023, the fastest growth rate in two decades.
- The UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) included a historic agreement to triple renewable power, double energy efficiency by 2030, and accelerate efforts to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems.”
- Wealthy countries finally mobilized more than $100 billion in climate finance for developing countries, fulfilling a long-held pledge, albeit two years late.
- Efforts to reimagine and accelerate climate finance for the most impacted countries and communities culminated with the launch of a landmark loss and damage fund at COP28.
Together, we need to do more and move faster. ClimateWorks’ community of funders, implementing partners, and grantees continue to advance new and emerging technologies that accelerate and operationalize climate ambition.
The Moment is Now captures a catalyzing year in the fight for a safer climate future, unearthing critical collaboration around minerals for the energy transition, renewed strategies for sustainable finance and raised commitments for international maritime shipping, and growing investments across emerging economies in the Global South.