Global Emissions: IEA Analysis Highlights Signs of Decrease Thanks to Renewable Sources

Emissions grew by 410 million tons, an increase of 1.1%.

In 2023, the landscape of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions showed signs of a decrease compared to previous years, despite a marked increase in global energy demand.

This trend was highlighted by a new analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which emphasized the significant contribution of renewable energies in containing the expansion of fossil fuel consumption.

Without these advances, the increase in CO2 emissions would have been three times higher.

Global Emissions: Increased by 1.1% in 2023

Emissions grew by 410 million tons, an increase of 1.1%, reaching a historic peak of 37.4 billion tons in 2023. This growth was slightly lower than the 490 million tons increase recorded in the previous year.

A notable decrease in hydroelectric power production, caused by extreme droughts in key areas like China and the United States, led to an emissions increase of over 40% in some sectors, pushing nations to rely more on alternative sources to fossil fuels.

The data released by the IEA, included in the annual update on global CO2 emissions and the new Clean Energy Market Monitor, provide a detailed picture of the progress of clean energies and their implications for the global energy market.

2023 marked a record year for advanced economies, which saw an unprecedented reduction in CO2 emissions despite GDP growth. This decline is attributable to the spread of renewable energies, the shift from coal to gas, improvements in energy efficiency, and a more contained industrial production.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, highlighted the resilience of the clean energy transition despite various global shocks, such as the pandemic, energy crises, and geopolitical instability. He emphasized the importance of commitments made by countries at COP28 in Dubai and called for greater efforts, particularly from emerging and developing economies, to increase investments in clean energy.

Between 2019 and 2023, Clean Energy Grew Twice as Fast as Fossil Fuels

Between 2019 and 2023, clean energy grew twice as fast as fossil fuels, significantly impacting global coal and natural gas consumption. However, the spread of clean energy remains concentrated mainly in advanced economies and China, with a call for greater international cooperation to extend the benefits of clean technologies to developing economies.

In China, the increase in solar photovoltaic capacity in 2023 was significant, but the hydroelectric power production and post-pandemic reopening led to an emissions increase of about 565 million tons. Similarly, in India, GDP growth and a weaker-than-usual monsoon contributed to an emissions increase of about 190 million tons.

This complex scenario underscores the urgency and need for a fair and inclusive global energy transition that considers the diverse economic and environmental realities of nations, simultaneously addressing the challenge of climate change through technological innovation and international cooperation.