Green economy to top $7 trillion by 2030

by EVELYN WILLIAMS
Special contributor
LONDON, (CAJ News) – THE global green economy is expanding at one of the fastest rates of any major sector and is expected to surpass US$7 trillion in annual value by 2030, according to a new report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group.

The study, already a Multi-Trillion-Dollar Market, A CEO Guide to Growth in the Green Economy, estimates that the sector has already crossed $5 trillion in yearly value.

Green revenues, the report notes, are growing twice as fast as revenues in conventional business lines, with many companies benefiting from lower capital costs and higher market valuations as they scale up climate-friendly technologies.

Despite broader economic uncertainty, global investment in green technologies continues to break records.

“This report shows that the green economy is not a distant opportunity but already a major growth engine of this decade,” said Pim Valdre, Head of Climate and Nature Economy at the World Economic Forum.

He added that earlier WEF analyses predicted the emergence of large-scale green markets, a trend that has since accelerated.

The report highlights a sharp drop in technology costs over the past decade: solar photovoltaic installations and lithium-ion batteries are now about 90% cheaper than in 2010, while offshore wind costs have fallen by roughly 50%.

As a result, the authors estimate that 55% of global emissions reductions needed for net-zero targets can already be achieved with cost-competitive solutions, with another 20% available at modest cost premiums.

However, the transition remains uneven. Emerging technologies such as low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) still face significant cost barriers and will require substantial policy and financial support before achieving wider market competitiveness.

The report underscores China’s growing dominance in green manufacturing and innovation.

In 2024 alone, China invested $659 billion in clean energy and is projected to account for more than 60% of new global renewable-energy capacity added through 2030.

It also leads the world in patents for solar, electric vehicles and battery technologies—developments that are reshaping supply chains and accelerating the shift of green innovation toward Asia.

Drawing on 14 case studies from the WEF’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, the report outlines how early movers in green markets are converting sustainable investments into competitive advantages.

A CEO playbook included in the publication describes strategies for scaling emerging technologies, shaping regulatory frameworks and mobilizing diversified financing.

“The resilience of the green economy is striking,” said Patrick Herhold, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group.

“Despite fluctuating public sentiment, investments continue to reach new highs. With projections to become a $7 trillion market, there will be many more opportunities for companies that act boldly today.”

The findings come ahead of the World Economic Forum’s 56th Annual Meeting, scheduled for 19–23 January 2026 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The gathering will bring together leaders from business, government, civil society and academia under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.”

– CAJ News