The global green economy has already surpassed $5 trillion annually and is projected to exceed $7 trillion by 2030, according to a new report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The findings position the green economy as the second‑fastest growing sector worldwide, outpaced only by technology.
Accelerating Growth and Investor Confidence
The report, Already a Multi‑Trillion‑Dollar Market: A CEO Guide to Growth in the Green Economy, highlights that green revenues are growing twice as fast as conventional revenues. Companies generating more than half of their income from green markets often secure valuation premiums of 12–15%, while enjoying cheaper access to capital. This reflects investor confidence in the long‑term resilience and profitability of sustainable business models.
Cost Competitiveness and Technology Trends
Rapid cost declines in clean technologies have fueled this momentum. Since 2010, the cost of solar photovoltaics and lithium batteries has dropped by around 90%, while offshore wind costs have halved. The report estimates that 55% of global emissions reductions needed for decarbonization can now be achieved with solutions that are already cost‑competitive, with another 20% achievable at minor cost premiums. However, technologies such as low‑carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) remain expensive and require substantial policy and industry support.
China’s Leadership in Clean Energy
China continues to dominate global clean energy investment, committing $659 billion in 2024 and accounting for more than 60% of new renewable capacity additions through 2030. It also leads in patents for solar, electric vehicles, and battery technologies, reshaping supply chains and shifting the center of green innovation eastward.
Lessons from Industry Leaders
The report features 14 case studies from members of the WEF’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, showcasing how pioneering companies have leveraged green markets for competitive advantage. It concludes with a CEO playbook, outlining strategies to scale technologies to cost maturity, shape regulatory ecosystems, and unlock diversified finance.
Patrick Herhold, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, emphasized three key takeaways: “The resilience of the green economy, China’s leadership in manufacturing and innovation, and the opportunity for companies in green markets to outperform and earn capital market premiums. With projections to become a $7 trillion market, there will be many more opportunities for companies that act boldly today.”
Outlook
Despite global economic uncertainty and shifting climate politics, the report underscores that the green economy is no longer a distant opportunity but a present‑day growth engine. For businesses, the message is clear: those who embrace sustainable solutions now are best positioned to capture the multi‑trillion‑dollar opportunities of the coming decade.
