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Urgent Call for Clean Energy Development by John Doerr

On April 20, 2026, John Doerr, the esteemed chair of Kleiner Perkins, made headlines as he released the latest 2026 Speed & Scale Tracker, spotlighting the pressing need for innovative solutions in the clean energy sector. This release is accompanied by a compelling letter from Doerr, where he elucidates the significant advancements and the crucial steps required to navigate the ongoing climate crisis.

The context for this release is particularly poignant. Amid rising global emissions, effectively addressing climate change has never been more urgent. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions like Iran, have exposed the vulnerabilities tied to our dependence on fossil fuels. This backdrop has provided a new momentum for the clean energy transition. Electric vehicles, for instance, now represent one out of every four new car sales worldwide, while renewable energy sources have started to outpace coal in terms of electricity generation. Moreover, it's vital to acknowledge that, despite these strides, global emissions continue on an upward trajectory, necessitating more decisive action.

In his letter, Doerr outlines three pivotal forces that are converging to reshape the global energy landscape:

1. Soaring Demand for Electricity: As the global economy evolves, so does the demand for electricity, which offers immense opportunities for clean energy solutions.
2. Geopolitical Edge of Clean Technology: Countries and regions that embrace clean technology are gaining significant geopolitical advantages, fostering innovation and economic growth.
3. Market Forces Driving Down Clean Energy Costs: The cost of clean energy technologies has plummeted—solar energy prices have decreased by 75%, while battery prices are down by 89%. This competitive pricing is accelerating adoption rates.

"These three forces are converging, presenting us with a pivotal opportunity. The transition toward clean energy must gain traction to replace fossil fuels effectively," Doerr proclaimed.

The 2026 Speed & Scale Tracker provides a detailed framework to monitor progress in the energy transition, setting clear targets while offering best-in-class metrics that highlight where advancements are occurring and where significant gaps remain. This framework, rooted in the objectives and key results (OKRs) methodology, evaluates current climate data across various economic sectors by measuring real-world progress in terms of gigatons.

While noting that global emissions are still on the rise, Ryan Panchadsaram, co-author of Speed & Scale, identifies bright spots indicating that clean transitions are yielding results. However, he emphasizes that in sectors where progress has either stalled or regressed, these shortcomings should serve as signposts urging decision-makers to ramp up investments and accelerate deployment of clean technologies.

Key Areas of Focus:

• - Clean energy advancements are presently concentrated in a few sectors, mainly power generation and passenger transport, while areas like heavy industry remain noticeably behind—particularly the lack of net-zero facilities for primary steel and cement production.
• - The electrification of vehicles is nearing a tipping point; the global fleet surged from just 1 million electric vehicles in 2015 to 56 million by 2024.
• - The economic landscape is increasingly favoring clean energy, evidenced by substantial price declines in solar, batteries, and wind technologies over the past decade.

In conclusion, Doerr’s urgent call to action is both a reflection of the current global landscape and an invitation for stakeholders, policymakers, and innovators to join in building a sustainable future. As we transition towards cleaner energy, addressing these colossal challenges with determination and initiative is paramount. For more insights, you can read Doerr's letter and explore the tracker available on Speed & Scale's website.

This initiative represents a pathway to achieve net zero and emphasizes the urgent actions needed to ensure the preservation of our planet for future generations.