WEMO24-Compiled Report-Interactive compressed (002) 4154-7882-8116 v.1 - Flipbook - Page 9
Global
Outlook
Despite these achievements and because of the fossil fuels
consumption growth (1.5%), global energy-related CO₂
emissions22 reached 37.4 bn tonnes - a 1% increase compared
to 2022.23
The year 2023 was the warmest year since global records began
in 1850 at 1.18°C above the 20th-century average of 13.9°C.
Regarding GHG emissions, the situation is contrasted between
Western economies, where these emissions are decreasing and
emerging economies where they are still increasing due to their
economic development and fossil fuels usages (notably in China
and India)
20 https://ember-climate.org/insights/research/
global-electricity-review-2024/#executive-summary
21 This shortfall in hydropower was met by an increase in coal generation.
22 Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions account for the majority of all anthropogenic
emissions – about 80% in the USA and the European Union
23 https://www.iea.org/reports/CO₂-emissions-in-2023/executive-summary
24 GDP: Gross Domestic Product
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Combined with nuclear, the world generated almost 40% of
its electricity from low-carbon sources in 2023. As a result, the
CO2 intensity of global power generation reached a new record
low, 12% lower than its peak in 2007.
Advanced economy GDP24 grew by 1.7% but emissions fell by
4.5%, a record decline outside of a recessionary period. This
2023 decline was caused by a combination of structural and
cyclical factors, including strong renewables deployment,
coal-to-gas switching in the USA, but also weaker industrial
production in some countries, and milder weather.
Even though China is the solar and wind generation leader,
its emissions grew around 565 Mt in 2023, by far the largest
increase globally. Per capita emissions in China (8tCO2eq/capita)
are now higher that the global average (6,76tCO2eq/capita).
In India, strong GDP growth drove up emissions by around 190
Mt however, per capita emissions remain far below the world
average (2tCO2eq/capita).
It is legitimate for developing countries to aim at increasing
the standard of living of their growing population and hence
an increase in energy usages. However, it is to be hoped that
given the drop in the decentralized electricity production costs,
local solutions will be implemented to allow a more sustainable
development and global improvement of life conditions.
We must hope, but this is not the current trend, that these
countries can conceive a way of life less energy-intensive than
the Western model, while aiming to an equivalent quality of life.
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In 2023, growth in solar and wind electricity resulted in 30%
renewables share in global electricity generation for the first
time20 despite drought conditions that resulted in a fall in
hydropower (that remains the main source of renewables).21
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