Investment in green energy grew by 32 percent last year, reaching a worldwide total of more than $211 billion.

2010 also marked the first time that developing countries managed to outspend their richer counterparts in terms of green energy, spending $72 billion on renewable projects compared to $70 billion from more developed nations. Leading the way was China, which spent nearly a quarter of the worldwide total by investing $48.9 billion. That numer marks a 28 percent increase compared to 2009.

"The continuing growth in this core segment of the green economy is not happening by chance," Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, told the BBC. "The combination of government target-setting, policy support, and stimulus funding is underpinning the renewable industry's rise and bringing the much needed transformation of our global energy system within reach."

Other regions spent significantly less, but still increased the amount invested in green energy projects. In South America $13 billion was spent, in the Middle East and Africa $5 billion, and in India $$3.8 billion.

Image courtesy Jamie Henderson