The Global Electricity Report 2023of EMBERrevealed remarkable progress towards the decarbonization from energy sector for the first time in history, the sources of energy for the renewable energy accounted for more than 30% of global electricity use.
The report analyzed electricity data from 78 countries representing 93% of global electricity demand and includes estimated changes in remaining generation. It also delves into the top ten CO2 emitting countries and regions, which account for more than 80% of global CO2 emissions, EMBER explains in its executive summary.
The document stresses that the electricity sector emerges as a crucial protagonist in the fight against the climate changethe first to require a urgent decarbonization.
Ever-increasing electrification plays a key role in this transition, unlocking significant emissions cuts across the economy, he says.
EMBER states that since 2000, renewables have increased from 19% of global electricity to more than 30% by 2023. The solar and wind generation experienced substantial increases in its share of the global electricity mix, reaching 12% and 39% respectively. This growth translated into a historic decline in the carbon intensity of global electricity generation, falling to a low of 436 gCO2/kWh.
"The decline in power sector emissions is now inevitable. 2023 was probably the tipping point (peak emissions in the power sector), an important turning point in energy history, but the pace of emissions decline depends on how fast the renewables revolution continues," said Dave Jones, director of Global Insights at Ember.
The scenario of International Energy Agency Net Zero Emissions (IEA) sets ambitious targets, aiming for a net-zero energy sector by 2040, a decade ahead of the global goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050. This goal underscores the importance of closely monitoring the electrical transition to assess climate progress.
The report concludes that, although significant progress has been made in the decarbonization of the electricity sectoradditional efforts are needed to maintain momentum. The effective integration of the wind and solar energy in global power grids, along with increased attention to planning and market design, are crucial to achieving the goals of decarbonization in the long term.
Source: Ember