A record 30% of global electricity was generated from renewables in 2023, according to a report released by Ember, a think tank based in London.

Scientists say emissions from burning fuels like coal must ramp steeply down to protect Earth’s climate, yet there was an increase in electricity made from burning fossil fuels. China, India, Vietnam and Mexico were responsible for nearly all of the rise.

The report said some countries burned coal to make up for the loss of hydroelectric power they experienced when drought caused their reservoirs to dry up. This is an example of a vicious cycle — when climate change prompts the use of more of the substances that cause climate change in the first place.

  •  SineIraEtStudio   ( @SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social ) 
    13•6 months ago

    Good news we are increasing the percent from renewables. The pace leaves something to be desired though:

    • 23 years to increase 12% (2000 to 2023, 18% to 30%)

    • 12 years to increase 10% (2011 to 2023, 20% to 30%)

    • 6 years to increase 5% (2017 to 2023, 25% to 30%)

    Based on the charts and write up, it seems like China is the main driver of us even making significant progress.

    I’d like to be optimistic but 6 years to go 5% will have us totally renewable in 84 years (2023+[6x14]=2107).

    •  Skua   ( @Skua@kbin.social ) 
      7•6 months ago

      Ehhh it’s a mixed blessing with China. The country’s power consumption increased by an average of about 1,100 TWh per year during 2012-2022, which is outpacing the newly-added solar and wind generation in the article by a factor of four. It’s great that they’re adding so much clean power, quite the opposite that they’re adding even more less clean power

      Edit: I should add that these numbers don’t specify hydro or nuclear capacity added. Not all of the gap is fossil fuels