Sylvie Willis
While no country has completely stopped using fossil fuels, some nations are leading the way in the transition to renewable energy sources. France, for example, derives most of its energy from nuclear power, while Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Costa Rica benefit from abundant hydroelectric resources. In 2022, Costa Rica produced 98% of its electricity from renewable sources for the eighth year in a row. Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels, with 89% of its energy coming from non-fossil fuel sources, mainly geothermal. Germany has also set ambitious targets for renewable energy, aiming for 80% renewable power by 2030 and close to 100% by 2035.
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What You'll Learn
Countries with the lowest dependence on fossil fuels
Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels in the world. About 89% of the country's total energy requirement is satisfied by non-fossil fuel energy sources. Fossil fuels include natural gas, oil, and coal, which are the world's primary energy sources. However, they are limited resources that can cause irreparable damage to the environment.
The second country least dependent on fossil fuels is Tajikistan, with 64.1% of its energy coming from renewable sources. The country benefits from its large hydroelectric plants, with about 94% of its electricity-generating capacity being hydroelectric.
Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand also benefit from abundant hydroelectric resources. Sweden has been commended by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for its new energy policies. The country uses about 48.5% of non-fossil energy and has been increasing its energy production from biomass. Switzerland uses about 39.5% of non-fossil fuel sources for energy production, with hydropower accounting for 57% and nuclear power for 38%. Norway's top three energy sources are geothermal, hydroelectric, and wind. About 31.5% to 34% of Norway's and New Zealand's total energy requirement comes from non-fossil fuel sources.
France is also among the countries least dependent on fossil fuel sources, with 47% of its total energy requirement being non-fossil. However, hydropower plays a small part in its energy production, at around 10%. Instead, France derives most of its energy from nuclear power, at 75%. This share is set to fall to 50% by 2025.
Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Belize are also making strides in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. In 2015, Costa Rica announced that it had powered the country for 75 days using only renewable energy resources. El Salvador is the largest producer of geothermal energy in Central America and is among the least dependent on fossil fuels for energy needs, with 33.8% of its total energy coming from non-fossil fuel sources. Belize passed legislation in 2018 to end oil exploration and extraction in all of its waters to protect its fragile coral reefs.
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Countries with bans on fossil fuel exploration and extraction
Several countries have implemented bans on fossil fuel exploration and extraction, recognising the need to transition to renewable energy sources and protect the environment. Here are some countries that have taken notable steps towards ending the use of fossil fuels:
Belize
Belize has taken decisive action to protect its fragile coral reefs by passing legislation in 2018 to end oil exploration and extraction in all of its waters. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world, is home to a diverse range of marine life, including endangered hawksbill turtles, dolphins, and several species of sharks. The ban ensures the preservation of this vital ecosystem and the tourism industry that supports half of the country's population.
France
In 2017, France's parliament passed a landmark law to ban the production of oil and gas in all its territories by 2040. This law prohibits the issuance of new permits for extracting fossil fuels and extends to existing licenses, which cannot be renewed past the deadline. While France's domestic production of fossil fuels is relatively low, the ban sets an important precedent and is expected to catalyse similar actions by larger fossil fuel producers.
Spain
Spain approved a climate law in May 2021, aiming to end the production of fossil fuels across all its territories by 2042. The law includes an immediate ban on new coal, gas, and oil exploration, as well as a goal to generate 74% of the country's electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. This move positions Spain to build a greener and more sustainable future.
Denmark
Denmark, one of the largest oil producers in Europe, has joined the ranks of countries moving away from fossil fuels. It has announced an end to exploration and drilling for oil and gas, demonstrating its commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has been a frontrunner in renewable energy, powering the country for 75 days using only renewable energy sources in 2015. It has imposed a moratorium on oil exploitation, demonstrating its dedication to preserving its natural resources and thriving ecotourism industry.
Ireland
Ireland has introduced legislation to ban licenses for new oil and gas exploration, signalling its transition towards a renewable energy future. This move aligns with the country's efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and promote sustainable practices.
These countries are leading the way in the fight against climate change and the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. Their efforts provide a model for other nations to follow and contribute to a global movement towards a greener and more sustainable future.
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Countries with ambitious renewable energy goals
While no country in the world completely abstains from using fossil fuels, some countries are leading the way with bans on fossil fuel exploration and extraction, and ambitious renewable energy goals. Here are some countries with ambitious renewable energy targets:
Norway
Norway is a leader in the renewable energy sector, with almost 100% of its electricity coming from a combination of hydropower and wind energy. Geothermal energy is also one of the top three energy sources in Norway. The country has developed its renewable energy sector primarily to serve the export market rather than for domestic consumption.
Sweden
Sweden has successfully limited its use of coal, earning recognition from the International Energy Agency (IEA) for its new energy policies. In 2013, Sweden derived about 48.5% of its energy from non-fossil sources, and the country reached its target of 50% renewable energy in 2012, eight years ahead of schedule. Sweden is on track to achieve its 2040 goal of 100% fossil-free renewable electricity production by utilizing a combination of wind, bioenergy, solar, and even body heat.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has made impressive strides in renewable energy, producing 98% of its electricity from renewable sources for over eight consecutive years. In 2015, Costa Rica powered the country for 75 days using only renewable energy resources, mainly generated by hydropower plants. In 2018, Costa Rica set a world record by using solely renewable energy sources for 300 consecutive days.
New Zealand
New Zealand primarily uses geothermal and hydropower energy, with approximately 80% of its electricity coming from renewable sources. The country has set ambitious targets, aiming for 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
Denmark
Denmark is one of the largest producers of oil in Europe, but it is also a leader in the transition away from fossil fuels. The country has set a target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030, with 84% of its electricity already coming from renewable sources in 2022.
China
China is the global leader in renewable energy capacity, hosting nearly half of the world's total operating wind and solar capacity. China is a significant investor in renewable energy, with nearly half of the world's low-carbon spending taking place within the country in 2022. China has set multiple renewable energy targets, including a 33% target share of renewables in electricity consumption by 2025 and a 50% target by 2030.
These countries are at the forefront of the transition to renewable energy, setting ambitious goals and implementing innovative policies to drive down emissions and create a more sustainable future.
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Countries with bans on fossil fuel vehicles
Several countries have taken steps to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, and some have even achieved a high percentage of renewable energy sources. However, a complete ban on fossil fuels is yet to be achieved by any country. Here is a list of countries with notable efforts and initiatives towards banning fossil fuel vehicles:
Norway
Norway has been a leader in the shift towards electric vehicles. With government incentives, Norway became the first country to have the majority of new vehicles sold in 2021 be electric, with 88% of new vehicles sold in January 2022 being electric.
Sweden
Sweden has successfully reduced its use of coal, with about 48.5% of its energy coming from non-fossil sources. The country has also been commended by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for its new energy policies.
France
France has a unique energy mix, with 75% of its energy coming from nuclear power and only about 10% from hydropower. Despite this, France is among the countries least dependent on fossil fuels, with 47% of its total energy requirement being met by non-fossil sources. France has also implemented low-emission zones (LEZs) to restrict the use of fossil-fuelled cars in certain areas.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has made significant strides towards renewable energy, with 38.7% of its total energy requirement being met by non-fossil sources. In 2015, the country announced its commitment to going completely green, preserving its natural resources and boosting its ecotourism industry.
El Salvador
El Salvador is the largest producer of geothermal energy in Central America and also utilizes hydroelectric power. About 33.8% of its total energy comes from non-fossil sources, and the country aims to further reduce its oil dependency.
European Union
All 27 countries in the European Union have committed to banning the sale of new fossil-fuel cars by 2035. This includes countries like Germany, Italy, and Denmark, which have already implemented restrictions in certain cities or announced plans to ban fossil fuel vehicles.
Other Notable Mentions
- Switzerland: The country uses about 39.5% non-fossil fuel sources for energy production and has implemented city bans on fossil-fuelled vehicles during specific times or when there is a smog alert.
- Iceland: 89% of Iceland's total energy requirement is satisfied by non-fossil fuel sources, the highest in the world.
- New Zealand: About 80% of New Zealand's electricity comes from renewable sources, mainly geothermal and hydropower.
- India: India's government has pledged to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 worldwide and by 2035 in "leading markets."
- China: China has announced that sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) will make up 50% of overall new car sales by 2035.
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Countries with high renewable energy production
While no country has completely stopped using fossil fuels, some countries have made significant strides in reducing their dependence on them and have embraced renewable energy sources. Here are some countries with high renewable energy production:
Iceland
Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels globally. About 89% of its total energy requirement is satisfied by non-fossil fuel energy sources. Geothermal power heats 9 out of 10 homes, and Iceland is among the top ten global producers of geothermal energy.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has made impressive strides in renewable energy production. In 2015, it announced that it had powered the country for 75 days using only renewable energy sources, primarily hydroelectric power. In 2018, it broke the world record for the most consecutive days using solely renewable energy – 300 days! Costa Rica continues to excel in this area, producing 98% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2022. The country utilizes a combination of hydro, geothermal, wind, biomass, and solar power.
Sweden
Sweden has successfully reduced its dependence on coal, with about 48.5% of its energy coming from non-fossil sources. In 2015, it achieved its target of 50% renewable energy eight years ahead of schedule, and it is now on track to reach its goal of 100% fossil-free renewable electricity production by 2040.
Germany
Germany has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 80% renewable power by 2030 and close to 100% by 2035. In 2022, renewables accounted for 46.9% of German power consumption, a notable increase from the previous year.
Uruguay
Uruguay has undergone a remarkable renewable energy revolution. In just a few decades, it has transformed its energy landscape, with 91% of its electricity generated from renewable sources in 2022, up from a third in the past.
France
France is also among the countries least dependent on fossil fuels, with approximately 47% of its total energy requirement being met by non-fossil sources. While hydropower plays a minor role, France derives a significant portion of its energy from nuclear power, currently at 75%, although this is expected to decrease to 50% by 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
Iceland is the country least dependent on fossil fuels. 89% of its energy comes from non-fossil fuel sources, with geothermal power heating 9 out of 10 homes.
Other countries that are least dependent on fossil fuels include Costa Rica, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Norway, El Salvador, and France.
Belize passed legislation in 2018 to end oil exploration and extraction in its waters to protect its coral reefs. France has banned the production of oil and gas by 2040, and Spain has approved a climate law to end the production of fossil fuels by 2042.
Germany has set targets of 80% renewable power by 2030 and close to 100% by 2035. Uruguay has also undergone a renewable energy revolution, with 91% of its electricity generated from renewable sources in 2022.
Transitioning to renewable energy drives down emissions, contributes to a secure economy, creates jobs, and leads to a more reliable and resilient energy system.
