The world needs more energy innovation Global policy discussions increasingly emphasise the critical role of innovation to meet long-term energy and climate targets. The world needs faster scale-up of low-carbon technologies for clean energy transitions, according to IEA analysis. However, many technologies are not yet ready for all the markets in which they will be needed. They require performance and cost improvements, even though the last few decades have seen unprecedented efforts to accelerate clean energy development, such as in the use of renewable sources of energy or low-carbon mobility. Many of these technologies will need adapting to local needs and specificities, particularly in emerging economies, which are expected to account for much of future energy demand growth.