Clean Energy Surpasses 40% in Global Electricity Generation, Yet CO2 Emissions Surge

Despite clean energy's growth, carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high, highlighting challenges in the global energy transition.

A new report from Ember, a prominent energy think tank, reveals that for the first time since the 1940s, clean energy accounts for over 40% of global electricity generation. This milestone coincides with an unprecedented surge in carbon dioxide emissions, which, fueled by extreme temperatures, have reached an all-time high. The report highlights a complex relationship between increasing reliance on renewable sources and the continued demand for fossil fuels.

The rapid expansion of solar power stands out, with its generation capability doubling every three years since 2012. "Solar power has become the engine of the global energy transition," stated Phil Macdonald, managing director of Ember. Despite this growth, solar energy contributes only about 7% to global electricity supply, equating to the energy consumption of an entire country like India.

China remains dominant in solar energy expansion, accounting for over half of the global increase. India's solar capacity has also made significant strides, doubling between 2023 and 2024. However, despite the momentum, wind and hydro energy growth has been comparatively slower, contributing 8% and 14%, respectively, followed closely by nuclear energy at 9%.

The focus now shifts toward addressing the imbalance between electricity demand and renewable energy supply. The Ember report notes a 4% rise in global electricity demand for 2024, primarily driven by increased air conditioning use amid record temperatures. Consequently, fossil fuel generation saw an increase, predominantly from coal (34%) and natural gas (22%), resulting in CO2 emissions skyrocketing to 14.6 billion tonnes.

This predicament illustrates that while clean energy’s contribution to electricity generation is growing, the simultaneous surge in demand and fossil fuel usage poses severe challenges on the road to lowering carbon emissions globally. With countries like India and China continuing to meet their energy needs through fossil fuels, the global transition to a sustainable future remains an uphill battle despite the strides made in renewable energy.