In March, the world passed a major energy milestone, adding its third terawatt of solar power. Increasingly, poorer countries are leading the shift to solar, analysts say. Read more on E360 →
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Yale Environment 360
The World Adds a Third Terawatt of Solar Power
Abatify Summary
Nature & Climate Perspective
**Rapid expansion of global solar capacity to 3 TW displaces fossil-fuel generation, directly reducing ecosystem stress and preserving natural carbon sinks. **
- Mitigates sulfur and nitrogen deposition on surrounding ecosystems and watersheds by replacing utility-scale thermal power generation.
- Averts millions of metric tons of atmospheric CO2, protecting regional forest ecosystems and soil organic carbon from climate-induced degradation.
- Requires strategic land-use planning in emerging markets to balance utility-scale solar deployment with localized biodiversity conservation.
Market & Policy Outlook
**Reaching the 3 terawatt solar milestone accelerates I-REC market liquidity while strengthening corporate Scope 3 decarbonization pathways under SBTi. **
- Unlocks new opportunities for developing nations to leverage Article 6.2 and 6.4 ITMO transfers, though project developers must satisfy ICVCM Core Carbon Principles regarding financial additionality.
- Increases the regional supply and transaction volume of I-RECs (International Renewable Energy Certificates), driving down cost barriers for local market participants.
- Provides multinational corporations with vital renewable electricity infrastructure needed to achieve verified Scope 3 supply chain reductions under SBTi standards.
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