A new report has revealed that in a “turning point” for environmentally friendly energy, the world is set to use fewer fossil fuels to generate electricity this year.
It would represent the first annual decrease in the production of power from coal, oil, or gas that has not coincided with a global economic downturn or pandemic.
Less greenhouse gas emissions would arise from the generation of energy.
The authors blame China in particular for the surge in renewable energy for the anticipated change.
With further wind turbines installed in 2022, the amount of electricity produced by wind and solar will be enough to power practically all of the UK.
Renewables are set to meet all growth in demand this year, the study from energy analysts Ember says.
Making electricity is the single biggest contributor to global warming, responsible for over a third of energy-related carbon emissions in 2021.
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So phasing out coal, oil and gas in this sector is seen as critical in helping the world avoid dangerous levels of climate change.
This new study looks at data from countries representing 93% of global electricity demand.
This, the fourth edition of Ember’s Global Electricity Review, indicates that significant progress is now being made in reducing the role of fossil fuels in power production.
The major developments are the continuing rise of solar and wind as economically viable sources of electricity. Around the world, solar grew by 24% last year, enough to meet the annual demands of a country as big as South Africa.
Taken together with nuclear and hydropower, clean sources produced 39% of global electricity in 2022. The report finds that electricity produced last year was, in effect, the cleanest ever made.
But despite this, carbon emissions from the sector also continued to rise, as coal use edged up.
Story adapted from BBC
