June 5, 2025
The world is united by the planet
Every June 5, the world celebrates World Environment Day, a date established by the United Nations in 1973 with the aim of raising awareness among the world’s population about the importance of taking care of our environment. In 2025, this day acquires unprecedented relevance, not only because of the magnitude of current environmental challenges, but also because of the remarkable progress in the transition to a clean, efficient and sustainable energy model.
This year’s motto, “Our lands. Our future,” has focused on ecological restoration, climate resilience and, especially, on the fundamental role that renewable energies play in stopping desertification, mitigating climate change and ensuring a fair and accessible energy future for all.
An encouraging global outlook
In 2025, advances in renewable energy exceeded all expectations. Global investment in energy reached an all-time high of 3.3 trillion dollars, of which more than 2.2 trillion were allocated to clean technologies, including solar energy, wind energy, battery storage, green hydrogen, smart grids and electric mobility.
This investment impulse responds to the commitment of governments, companies and citizens to accelerate the energy transition, in the face of a climate emergency that does not give respite. In addition, it responds to the fact that, for the first time, renewable energies supplied 30% of the world’s electricity.
Milestones in solar and wind energy
Solar energy has been the great protagonist of the year. China, India, the United States and the European Union are leading the deployment of new large-scale solar plants. In addition, the installation of solar systems on urban roofs, schools and rural communities has tripled in countries in Latin America and Africa.
At the same time, wind energy continues to expand on land and offshore. New offshore wind farms in the North Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Chilean coast have made it possible to generate clean energy for millions of people.
Latin America at the forefront of the transition
In Latin America, Chile has consolidated its role as a reference in renewable energy. With more than 60% of its electricity matrix coming from clean sources, the country has launched ambitious green hydrogen projects in the north and energy innovation centers in the south.
Brazil, for its part, has doubled its installed solar capacity and Argentina has expanded its network of wind farms in Patagonia. Colombia and Peru have also made progress in integrating renewables into isolated networks.
Innovations that are changing the game
Technology has been key in this process. In 2025, solar robots were consolidated in China that feed on the same solar panels that clean. Companies such as Aircela developed devices that generate synthetic gasoline from air and solar energy. And African startups have created portable solar solutions that allow millions of people to access energy for the first time.
Storage systems have also improved: lithium, sodium and graphene batteries are more durable, more environmentally friendly and more accessible. Artificial intelligence is being used to predict demand, optimize networks and reduce losses.
Companies and governments with a green purpose
Companies such as Heineken Spain lead a new sustainable industrial model. They have reduced their emissions by half, return more water to nature than they use and use 100% renewable energy in their production.
Governments around the world are implementing laws that promote renewable energy and sanction pollution. The European Parliament has approved new climate goals for 2030, while the US and China have signed a new bilateral agreement to eliminate coal from their headquarters by 2040.
Citizen participation and environmental education
Citizens have been a silent protagonist. Millions of people around the world are installing solar panels at home, changing their consumption habits, participating in energy cooperatives and demanding a just transition.
Environmental education is also progressing: in many countries it is already part of the compulsory school curriculum. Universities and technical institutes offer training in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility and waste management.
Challenges to overcome
Despite the progress, huge challenges persist: the gap between rich and poor countries in access to clean energy, the dependence on fossil fuels in some sectors and the need for a just transition for workers.
However, the course is set. Renewable energies are not the future: they are the present.
Restoring the Earth is an energy task
On World Environment Day 2025, the world is demonstrating that the energy transition is the most powerful tool to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, mitigate climate change and create a fairer future.
The message is clear: with political will, intelligent investment and citizen innovation, we can ignite the change that the planet needs.
