Emissions peak reached in 2023

Renewable energy sources generated a record 30% of global electricity in 2023, according to a new report by independent energy think-tank Ember. “With record construction of solar and wind in 2023, a new era of falling fossil generation is imminent. 2023 was likely the pivot point, marking peak emissions in the power sector,” the report noted. According to Ember, renewables generated 19% of global electricity in 2000. The main driver of renewables growth in 2023 was China, which accounted for 51% of the additional global solar generation and 60% of new global wind generation. Combined with nuclear, the report notes, the world generated almost 40% of its electricity from low-carbon sources in 2023, causing CO2 intensity of global power generation to reach a new record low.