A Stanford University study published in late August shows that 139 countries could easily generate all their energy from renewable energy sources by 2050. And electricity generation might even be cheaper than it is today. High efficiency could also help cut global energy consumption in half. Not least, there would also be a net creation of over 24 million new jobs (27.7 million lost jobs would be offset by 52 million newly created full-time jobs).

The study, " 100 % Clean and Renewable Wind, Water, and Sunlight (WWS): All-Sector Energy Roadmaps for 139 Countries of the World ", also shows that the concerns about excessive costs are unjustified. Annual revenue amounts to more than 2 trillion US dollars and environmental damage of at least 4.6 trillion US dollars is avoided. In other words: Clinging onto the uneconomic solutions of the past is obviously unreasonable. However, the EU member states, including Germany, still have a long way to go before achieving the climate protection goals and the energy transition. Although German industry is particularly energy efficient, according to the Institute of German Industry (IW) Cologne , even the IW’s Science Director Dr. Hubertus Bardt notes that "Accelerated growth in the less energy-intensive industries is resulting in lower average energy intensity and delivering a positive contribution to growth." The actual increase in efficiency should thus be measured only after deducting such structural shifts.