Conflict: Clean vs Dirty Energy
The public, like business leaders, are increasingly conscious of renewable energy, and discussions around it online have risen commensurately in recent years – though at noticeably different rates in different countries.
The UK for instance has seen a spike in the most recent winter as the cost of living crisis hit, while Germany saw a similar spike earlier in 2022, likely prompted by concerns around gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Monthly online mentions of “Renewable Energy” by country from 2018 to present
UK
Germany
France
Italy
Spain
US
Businesses and individuals alike are increasingly considerate of renewable energy, with most either implementing renewable energy sources already or planning to.
But another key theme emerges from our data, underscored by the energy crisis of the past year: energy efficiency.
We asked policymakers what the most vital policies in achieving net zero emissions will be:
Which policies and/or actions do you think will be most vital to achieving net zero emissions? Select up to three
Legislation to help fund energy efficient home improvements
Speeding up the renewable transition
Investment in hydrogen production
Ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars
Ending generation from fossil fuels
No policies and/or actions in particular will be most vital to achieving net zero emissions
While 41% said that legislation to help improve home energy efficiency was crucial, tied second were speeding up the renewable transition and investment in hydrogen production (a form of energy that can be green, but currently is largely still produced by fossil fuels) – both at 38%.
Ranked bottom meanwhile are ending the sale of new petrol cars and ending use of fossil fuels (34%/33%), suggesting the focus is on enabling new possibilities versus explicitly ending existing forms of energy and transport.
However, a geographical divide emerges on closer inspection. Countries are split along a north-south divide over the relative importance of better insulation and energy reduction, versus a focus on new means of clean energy creation.
Which adequate measures, if any, do you think your country is taking to prepare for the impacts of climate change?
Which Renewable Energy Sources are Front of Mind?
Every major form of renewable energy has seen sizable increases in mentions online in the past five years, but which has grown the most?
While solar power enjoys the most attention by monthly volume (at around 100-150,000 mentions per month), it is not the fastest growing.
In fact, from 2018 until the summer of 2021, global conversations around solar actually declined slightly, only to spike at over 250,000 mentions per month in the extreme heat summer of 2021 before gradually plateauing once more.
Discussion around wind power also declined during the first year of the pandemic before rising again from early 2021 onwards.
While still comparatively small, interest in hydrogen power has quadrupled in this timeframe, rising from around 1,000 mentions per month to 4,000 in 2023. It is also the only energy source that has seen steady and consistent growth in interest, unrelated to seasons or world affairs.
Monthly online mentions of "Solar Power" from 2018 to present
Monthly online mentions of "Wind Power" from 2018 to present
Monthly online mentions of "Hydrogen Power" from 2018 to present
Monthly online mentions of "Hydro Power" from 2018 to present
Monthly online mentions of "Geothermal Power" from 2018 to present
While wind and solar are providing the foundation for the renewable transition, hydrogen has often been described as the ‘missing piece in the puzzle’ to net zero. It establishes a carbon-free alternative for processes in the industrial and transport sectors, while also providing a solution for storing and transporting green electricity. But for that to be realised, it must be produced using renewable power, so called ‘green hydrogen’.
What do Policymakers Think Companies and Consumers can do to Address the Climate Crisis?
Businesses say they will not be deterred by the energy crisis in their commitment to sustainability, but what actions do policymakers believe they should be taking, as well as the wider public?
What are the most impactful steps businesses can take to tackle the climate crisis, if any? Select up to three
Source energy from renewable sources
Reduce waste and fight obsolescence
Choose greener infrastructures and equipment
Choose sustainable suppliers
Reducing energy consumption
Measure and analyse greenhouse gas emissions
Raise awareness among employees, clients and other stakeholders
Optimise employees' transportation
Policymakers see three key strands: switching to renewable energy (selected by 31% of respondents), reducing waste and avoiding obsolescence (29%) and choosing greener infrastructure/suppliers (both 27%).
Also of note is that optimising employee transportation is actually ranked lowest at 23% globally, though the highest response of all for UK policymakers (and only UK policymakers) at 27%. This may reflect local debate around straining transit networks more, however, than less interest in sourcing renewable energy.
What are the most impactful steps consumers can take to tackle the climate crisis, if any? Select up to three
As for individual citizens, policymakers believe they should focus on actively seeking out renewable energy sources and suppliers and reducing energy use at home (tied at 28%); again, transportation is less of a focus, with cutting back on flying and leaving the car at home cited by 21% and 20% respectively. It seems the political appetite for debate around mass transit is not that strong currently, which is perhaps reflective of a difficult economic period in which making large investments is harder than ever.