Turning to the environment. Today we celebrate World Environment Day. This year's theme focuses on having industries, communities, and individuals come together to explore renewable energy for improving air quality and the environment. CGTN reporter Zou Yun takes a look at how the landscape of global energy is changing with renewable energies such as solar, wind and bio-fuel becoming increasingly mainstream.

From high carbon to low carbon, from low efficiency to high efficiency, global power settings are shifting towards a greener and cleaner path.

Data shows that in 2017, renewable energy accounted for 70 percent of all net additions to global power generating capacity, the largest increase in renewable power capacity in modern history. It is also expected that wind and solar energy will account for about half of the total power produced worldwide by 2050.

Experts say that in the process of becoming greener, China is one of the pioneers.

DEV SANYAL CEO FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, BP "Last year we saw around 75 percent growth of renewables in China. Over the course of 20 years, we see the share of renewables growing from about 3 percent to 18 percent. We also see gas double to 14 percent over that period."

While renewable energy is getting the spotlight for generating little to no pollution, nor global warming emissions, it also has its challenges: affordability and reliability.

Renewable energy is still not as economical as fossil fuel energy, and there are also challenging cases when you need solar but the sun isn't shining and when you need wind yet the wind isn't blowing. And experts say in terms of solutions, technology and innovation are the defining narrative.

DEV SANYAL CEO FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, BP "Right now the cost of storage is still relatively high, we see technology is being a massive enabler in terms of reducing the cost of storage. One of the things that gave me many optimism for the future is technology and human innovation. Because what may seem difficult today actually becomes achievable with giant strikes taking place."

In recent years, China has cut coal consumption and promoted the use of gas and renewable energy to fight for better air quality. The country has also further encouraged the development of clean energy, with aims to make non-fossil energy meeting 20 percent of its energy needs by 2030.

ZOU YUN BEIJING "Experts say the world economy will continue to increase in the next 20 years with GDP expected to double. In the process, renewable energy will play an important role in fueling that prosperity, not only the economic one, but also a greener and more sustainable one. ZY, CGTN, BJ."