Tracking the Defossilization of Energy
The global energy system is in the early stages of its most profound transformation since the Industrial Revolution. Defossilize.net tracks this transition through data visualizations, policy analysis, and progress metrics — giving you a clear-eyed view of how fast the world is moving away from fossil fuels and where the gaps remain.
Key Metrics Dashboard
Global Progress Indicators
- Renewable share of electricity — Currently ~30% globally, up from ~20% a decade ago
- EV share of new car sales — Over 20% worldwide, approaching 50% in leading markets like Norway and China
- Coal plant pipeline — New coal construction declining sharply; retirements accelerating in OECD nations
- Fossil fuel subsidies — Still exceeding $7 trillion globally when accounting for environmental and health costs
Policy Tracker
We monitor fossil fuel transition policies across the world's largest economies:
| Country/Region | Key Policies | Status |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Inflation Reduction Act, EPA power plant rules, EV tax credits | Implementation in progress |
| European Union | Fit for 55 package, carbon border adjustment, REPowerEU | Enacted, phased rollout |
| China | Dual carbon goals (peak 2030, net-zero 2060), massive renewable deployment | Record solar and wind installations |
| India | 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030, green hydrogen mission | Scaling rapidly |
| United Kingdom | Net-zero 2050 legally binding, offshore wind leadership | Mixed progress |
Sector Spotlight
Power Generation
The easiest sector to defossilize and the one making the most progress. Solar and wind additions are growing exponentially, while coal and increasingly gas are being displaced.
Transportation
Passenger vehicles are electrifying fast, but heavy trucking, shipping, and aviation remain dependent on liquid fuels. Sustainable aviation fuel, green methanol, and hydrogen are emerging but not yet at scale.
Industry
The hardest sector. Cement, steel, and chemical production require process heat and chemical reactions that cannot simply be electrified. Solutions include hydrogen-based direct reduction, carbon capture, and novel chemistry.
Buildings
Heat pump adoption is accelerating in Europe and North America. Building codes are beginning to ban new gas hookups in progressive jurisdictions. Retrofitting existing buildings remains the largest challenge.
Why Data Matters
- Accountability — Public tracking holds governments and companies to their commitments
- Decision-making — Investors, policymakers, and businesses need reliable data to allocate capital and set strategy
- Momentum tracking — Seeing real progress builds the political will for bolder action
- Gap identification — Data reveals where progress is lagging and where intervention is most needed
Follow the transition in real time. The numbers tell the story.