Renewables on the Rise: Global Electricity Emissions Nearing Peak

Global CO2 emissions from the power sector remained relatively stable in the first half of 2023, with a 0.2% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The growth of wind and solar power outpaced sluggish demand, but droughts led to a decline in hydropower generation, forcing countries to rely more on fossil fuels. While wind and solar capacity reached a record 14.3% of global electricity demand, hydro generation fell by 8.5%. The expansion of low-carbon electricity supplies is still insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5C. The report highlights the vulnerability of hydropower to climate change and calls for a global agreement to triple renewables capacity this decade.