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AfrElec COMMENTARY AfrElec
IEA data heralds end to emissions growth
Higher solar and wind output, together will new nuclear reactors and the switch from coal to gas, has driven down power-related emissions in developed economies
GLOBAL
WHAT:
2019 power-related emissions stays flat at 33.3bn tonnes
WHY:
Rising emissions in developing countries cancelled out falling output in developed economies
WHAT NEXT:
Falling power demand
in India and China kept down emissions, and that canot be banked on the future, unlike the rise of renewables
GLOBAL energy-related levelled out in 2019 at 33.3bn tonnes following two successive annual increases in 2017 and 2018.
Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) showed that reining in output growth was the result of falling CO2 emissions in the power sector in advanced economies – largely driven by the rise of wind and solar – higher nuclear power output and fuel switching from coal to natural gas.
Advanced economies produced 11.3bn tonnes in 2019, down from 11.7bn tonnes in 2018 and continuing a steady downward trend since a peak of 13bn tonnes in 2007.
In contrast, emissions in developing econo- mies, including the biggest emitters China and India, continued their upward trend to 22bn tonnes in 2019, up from 21.1bn tonnes in 2017 and 21.6bn tonnes in 2018.
What this means is the falling energy-related emissions in Europe and the US is being can- celled out by growth in China and India.
“We now need to work hard to make sure that
2019 is remembered as a definitive peak in global emissions, not just another pause in growth,” said Fatih Birol, the IEA’s Executive Director.
One positive indicator is that the zero growth posted for 2019 was accompanied by economic growth of 2.9%, indicating the power generation is, on average, becoming more efficient in emis- sions terms.
We now need to work hard
“We have the energy technologies to do this,
and we have to make use of them all. The IEA is
building a grand coalition focused on reducing
emissions – encompassing governments, com-
panies, investors and everyone with a genuine to make sure commitment to tackling our climate challenge.”
The IEA noted that milder weather in sev- global emissions,
eral countries and slower economic growth in some emerging markets also contributed to zero growth.
Data dig
Digging down into the data, the US posted the largest decline in energy-related emissions, pro- ducing 4.8bn tonnes, a decline of 2.9%, or 140mn
not just another
pause in growth
Fatih Birol
IEA executive director
that 2019 is remembered as a definitive peak in
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w w w . N E W S B A S E . c o m Week 06 13•February•2020