WEF: Global energy transition picks up pace

The global energy transition is picking up pace, with the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) latest report showing the fastest progress since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall improvement on the WEF’s Energy Transition Index (ETI) was recorded in 65% of the countries observed, with the Emerging Europe region posting the strongest growth.

The report, titled Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2025, tracks the performance of energy systems of 118 countries across three dimensions – security, sustainability, and equity.

The equity segment showed the strongest gains, thanks to stable energy prices and subsidy cuts, while sustainability improved thanks to increased renewable energy adoption and improvements in energy efficiency. However, energy security stagnated due to inflexible power systems, reliance on imports, and limited diversification, highlighting the need for resilient grids, digitalization, and investment.

Energy security stagnated due to a lack of flexibility and diversification

The WEF also noted that despite USD 2 trillion in clean energy investment in 2024, global emissions hit a record 37.8 billion tons in the hottest year on record, as energy demand rose 2.2%, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, cooling, and electrification.

Global carbon emissions hit a record 37.8 billion tons in 2024 despite investment in clean energy

In 2025, 77 out of 118 countries recorded an increase in their overall ETI scores, with an average gain of 1.1%, as 28% achieved gains across all three dimensions, according to the report.

Advanced European economies top ETI rankings

Advanced economies continued to lead the rankings, accounting for 16 of the top 20 performers. The top five positions are occupied by Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland, thanks to their strong performance in energy diversification, clean energy adoption, robust policy frameworks, and reliable infrastructure.

Also among the top 10 are Austria, Latvia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal. China rose to a record 12th place, while the United Kingdom ranked 16th, and the US ended in the 17th spot.

Bosnia and Herzegovina posts strongest growth

The Emerging Europe region, which includes former Soviet republics and Southeast European countries, recorded the highest score increase in 2025, of 2.8% year on year. Latvia scored the highest on the ETI index, while Bosnia and Herzegovina posted the strongest growth.

The highest-ranking countries in the region tracked by Balkan Green Energy News are Bulgaria and Romania, with an overall score of 63.7 each, occupying the 29th and 30th spots, respectively.

Albania took 37th place with a score of 61.5. North Macedonia was 66th, with an overall score of 54.2, and Bosnia and Herzegovina came in 72nd, with 53.1. They are followed by Serbia, in 81st place, and Montenegro, which is 83rd.