Is Renewable Energy Really “Clean”? Let’s Untangle the Truth and the Hype.
“Clean” refers to low lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, regardless of the source’s renewability.
“Renewable” refers to energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale.
“Green” energy must be both renewable and low-impact on ecosystems, avoiding pollution, emissions, and ecological disruption.
You’ve probably heard the terms renewable and clean energy used like they’re interchangeable. But are they really? Let’s break it down. The language we use matters, especially when billions in subsidies, policies, and investments are shaped by these definitions.
What Is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish faster than we use them: like sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat. These sources don’t run out, and critically, they generate electricity without combustion.
Combustion, for context, is the process of burning fuel, like coal or gas, to produce energy. While it releases heat, it also emits carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other pollutants. That’s how most fossil fuel systems work.
Renewables don’t burn anything. That’s why they’re often called clean.
But here’s where it gets tricky. What exactly is “Clean” Energy?
Clean Energy should mean energy with minimal environmental and health impact across its lifecycle. But many fossil-linked companies now label gas, nuclear, or carbon-offset-heavy projects as “clean,” even when they still emit carbon or involve toxic byproducts.
This is where greenwashing creeps in.
Unless a “clean” claim is backed by verifiable, third-party lifecycle data, such as through ISO 14021, it’s just branding. Not proof.
That’s why tools are starting to fill the gap. HowLegit, for example, scans public-facing claims for consistency, benchmarks them against global standards, and flags narrative risks across websites, reports, and social messaging.
Its role isn’t to catch liars. It’s to spot when stories are overconfident, under-evidenced, or quietly inconsistent, so, funders, buyers, and analysts can act with clarity.
Why It Matters Beyond the Buzzwords?
This isn’t just about semantics.
Our entire energy future hinges on clarity,not just in technology, but in truth-telling. And on consumer awareness, that’s why we need to stay up to date and keep learning.
To really understand what we’re up against, revisit:
🔗 Double-Charged: Paying for Fossil Fuels Twice & Subsidizing Pollution and Waste Along the Way
🔗 The Real Energy Crisis: We’re Losing 60% of Fossil Energy Before It Reaches Us
While fossil fuels rely on centralized grids, combustion, and ongoing subsidies, renewables are building something fundamentally different:
* Decentralized microgrids and rooftop power
* Storage-backed resilience during climate shocks
* Cost parity or better in 80% of global markets [BloombergNEF, 2024]
* Reduced geopolitical risk, as confirmed by the IEA World Energy Outlook 2024
So, Is Renewable Energy “Clean”?
Yes! Renewable energy is genuinely clean in function, because it avoids combustion and direct emissions.
But not every “clean” energy claim is renewable and not all renewables are framed honestly.
Because the future of energy shouldn’t be shaped by assumptions. It should be shaped by clarity.
If you’re interested in clearer strategies, connect with Mr. G - Galeno Chua and check out Business Sustainability Accelerator, our training ecosystem designed to equip sustainability professionals with the tools, clarity, and credibility to lead confidently in real-world business strategy.
Watch our explainer clip: here
