Global Perspectives on Decarbonization: Insights from Countries Leading the Charge

Countries are implementing diverse and unique solutions to combat the climate crisis through decarbonization, and every nation could learn from one another about how to be a better environmental steward. Geopolitical tensions and administrative changes in the U.S. have made matters even more urgent in the Western world, as rollbacks on pivotal policies continue. However, global jurisdictions are taking ownership of their footprints.

Offshore Wind in Denmark
Denmark is capitalizing on one of its greatest assets — the coastline. Its commitments to offshore wind offer a few insights for global leaders, even for landlocked nations.

Renewable energy generators like solar and wind farms have a shaky reputation due to land use debates. Denmark is proving this is a non-issue by taking advantage of the affordable offshore potential. It is achieving this through policy support and infrastructure investments, creating tenders for 2-3 GW of offshore wind infrastructure in 2025. Proving successful as the nation is offering state support and attracting investors with flexible conditions.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) in China

China is a massive greenhouse gas contributor, yet electrification remains a priority. It has some of the highest EV adoption rates worldwide because it first scaled renewable energy and infrastructure. It represented 60% of EV sales in 2023, and the trend continues. Nations can learn by seeing how China leveraged its existing industrial resources to play into its strengths, offering inexpensive EVs to nearby countries.

Carbon Taxes in Sweden
Deterrents like carbon taxes are contentious, but Sweden has found a way to incorporate them mindfully. The initiative shows how the nation prioritized decarbonization over individual corporate interests — a too-frequent battle in many urbanized, wealthier nations.

Sweden states these taxes were simple and cost-effective to implement. It further lowers administrative expenses using common trade units in weight and volume. Deincentivizing greenhouse gas production is possible with the help of future-proof policy frameworks.

These financial consequences could be crucial to issue globally, as advancing tech continues to make a larger impact on the planet yearly. Industries like artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and data centers will become more harmful if left unchecked. Data centers already use 3% of the world’s power and produce carbon emissions by relying on fossil fuels. If leaders instituted incentives to discourage overconsumption and exploitation, budding sectors could decarbonize as they scale.

Diverse Energy Portfolios in Costa Rica
While some regions are investing heavily in one energy decarbonization strategy, Costa Rica shows the power of diversification. It has a stake in geothermal, solar, wind and hydropower. The determination to incorporate more than one shows it is possible for smaller nations, especially if they want to protect natural resources and wildlife. Subsidies and incentives motivated this change.

However, Costa Rica also noticed how the shift positively changed air quality and tourism. Places reluctant to adopt clean power must know the benefits of implementation to see the long-lasting impacts of a clean energy transition.

Affordable Energy in India
India’s large population has not stopped the country from making clean power more cost-effective. This is possible because of its rigorous climate and development goals to make renewables more accessible nationwide. In this process, industry experts discovered it was cheaper to build solar plants than to continue with coal.

Many of its other low-cost energy wins — like in the biofuel sector — come from recognizing the resources available in the country and using them to its advantage. In the future, India may use this to promote cheaper green hydrogen, phasing out the gray hydrogen that is more common.

Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy in Germany
Most countries default to energy projects for instant decarbonization because power accounts for 75% of emissions worldwide. Germany has used the Energiewende plan for decarbonization efforts, which has helped adopt solar and wind energy. However, it has encountered several issues, including grid modernization delays and a lack of energy storage infrastructure.

Regardless, the government-led plan has been a critical decision-making resource. It has led to it being one of the first countries to phase out nuclear power for green options to make it closer to climate-neutral. The world must understand how essential the government is as an enabler and overseer of climate progress by being a mediator between companies and national neighbors.

Hydrogen Adoption in Japan
Hydrogen remains an underexplored asset, but Japan is investing more in research and development than other countries. Many places may feel hesitant to use money for less-known decarbonization strategies, but the risk will pay off as Japan begins to play a major role in the global hydrogen economy.

The determination to expand hydrogen must encourage nations to establish more collaborative partnerships in the hydrogen value chain. This will prevent monopolies and promote knowledge-sharing in an under-researched field. Hydrogen is also difficult to transport, so establishing connections soon will make it easier to find the best methods to get resources to the places that need them most.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Canada
CCS is one of the most debated decarbonization methods, yet Canada took responsibility in proving how to use it as an intermediary in the energy transition. It deploys CCS in heavy sectors with higher impacts to obtain immediate environmental benefits. It also recognizes its potential to promote low-carbon hydrogen.

Additionally, it will enable new carbon-dioxide-based industries in Canada, such as chemicals, fuels, food and more. The world must learn how carbon has a future outside of its capture or removal to make the most out of the planet’s resources.

Lessons to Learn
These projects are the beginnings of worldwide decarbonization. The plethora of strategies global nations are using shows how many diverse approaches are required for comprehensive progress.

In 2025, observing and listening to leaders to inspire meaningful action is more crucial than ever, especially in countries actively fighting against these initiatives.

To learn more about global initiatives, join us at the upcoming Methane Mitigation Technology & Innovation Summit taking place this June 2-4 in Austin, Texas. 300+ oil and gas operators, NGOs, regulators, academics, and technology providers will come together at the largest global summit dedicated to best practice and solutions to measure, monitor and mitigate methane emissions from the energy sector.