Escalation effect of fossil-based CO₂ emissions improves green energy innovation

The 21st-century development pathway is facing a challenge between climate change mitigation, sustained economic prosperity, and energy security. While extant literature focuses on drivers of anthropogenic emissions, the role of policy measures including green energy innovation, and energy research and development are limited in scope. Here we develop conceptual tools across IEA member countries with four decades of data that demonstrate the role of green energy innovation, and research and development in reducing emissions. Our assessment reveals that sectoral fossil-based CO₂ contributes directly to GHG emissions by 29.7-40.6% from transport, 24.6-32% from industry, 18.6-19.5% from buildings, 15-18.4% from other sectors, and 0.5-1.1% from power. We highlight that industrialized high-income countries converge on green energy innovation but diverge on emissions. The empirical evidence shows that achieving green growth is possible through green energy innovation amidst climate change and its impact.