Iran War Drives Clean Energy Development, But Global Emissions Rise

The ongoing war against Iran has accelerated clean energy development worldwide, but experts warn it's not enough to combat climate change. Despite this, more than 30 countries have implemented policies to transition away from fossil fuels or improve energy efficiency.

However, global greenhouse gas emissions rose by 0.2% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to Climate TRACE. This increase was largely driven by a rise in road transportation emissions, while power sector emissions actually declined.

Clean energy investment fell globally in the first half of 2026, with China accounting for most of the decline. In contrast, solar investment grew in the US, Europe, and India, where economies are more exposed to gas and oil prices.

Experts say that while the war has spurred some progress towards clean energy, it's a short-term response to a long-term problem. 'Governments are currently doing a dance between acknowledging the importance of clean power while continuing to support fossil fuel expansion,' said Pauline Heinrichs, a war studies lecturer at King's College London.

Despite this, some countries are making significant strides in clean energy adoption. The UK has seen a surge in solar installations, and Indonesia is replacing diesel power plants with solar panels. However, these efforts are not yet sufficient to make a dent in climate change, and experts warn that it will take years of sustained action to achieve meaningful results.