Produced by REN21, the Renewables Global Status Report provides a comprehensive and timely overview of renewable energy market, industry, investment, and policy developments worldwide. It relies on the most recent data available, provided by a network of more than 500 contributors and researchers from around the world, all of which is brought together by a multidisciplinary authoring team. The report covers recent developments, current status, and key trends.

Among the findings of the report are that: total renewable power capacity worldwide exceeded 1,470 GW in 2012, up about 8.5% from 2011; demand continued to rise in the heating and cooling sector, which offers an immense untapped potential for renewable energy deployment; uncertain policy environments affected investment climates in Europe, China, and India, slowing the momentum of growth; and that overall, renewables represent a rapidly rising share of energy supply in a growing number of countries and regions.