The World Economic Forum 2025 Energy Transition Index shows the fastest progress since pre-Covid-19, with 65 per cent of countries improving and 28 per cent advancing across all core dimensions of security, sustainability and equity.

Global progress towards secure, equitable and sustainable energy is accelerating after years of sluggish gains. Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland top the Index, whilst emerging Europe posted the biggest gains and Emerging Asia outpaced the global average.

Enough good news: Despite $2tr in clean energy investment in 2024, energy security has actually stalled, and emissions hit record highs, highlighting the need for resilient grids, digital infrastructure and targeted capital flows. Also rising geopolitical tensions, investment gaps, and a growing disconnect between clean energy innovation and deployment where it is needed threaten to undermine momentum.

Energy systems are evolving at varying speeds,” said Roberto Bocca, head of the Centre for Energy and Materials, World Economic Forum. “We are seeing more holistic approaches and visible progress. It is encouraging that 28 per cent of countries, including major energy consumers and producers like Brazil, China, the US and Nigeria, have advanced across multiple dimensions. Staying on track demands urgent investment in fast-growing emerging economies.”

The 2025 Energy Transition Index recorded a 1.1 per cent year-on-year gain, the fastest since pre-Covid levels. Equity showed the strongest gains, aided by stable energy prices and subsidy cuts, while sustainability improved thanks to increased renewable energy adoption and improvements in energy efficiency. But energy security stagnated due to inflexible power systems, import reliance and limited diversification.

The report highlights three system-level priorities to keep the energy transition on track. These include redefining energy security beyond traditional supply concerns to include grid resilience and digital infrastructure; correcting capital imbalances, particularly in emerging economies; and addressing infrastructure bottlenecks, such as permitting delays, workforce gaps and grid capacity, which now constrain progress more than technology availability.

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