World power sector emissions increase 5% over pre-pandemic levels
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

World power sector emissions increase 5% over pre-pandemic levels

Global power sector emissions have increased 5% above pre-pandemic levels of the first half of 2019, while electricity demand also increased by 5%, as per the Ember report.

Global power sector emissions rebounded in the first half of 2021, rising 12% from the lows witnessed in the first half of 2020 when Covid-19 lockdowns went into effect.

The increased global electricity demand was met by wind and solar power of 57% but also by a rise in emissions-intensive coal power of 43% that caused the carbon emissions to rise.

The Ember report comes in the wake of a recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which warned that time is running out for the world to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

As the world rebounds from the pandemic impact in 2020, the report compares the first six months of 2021 to the same period in 2019 to display for the first time how the electricity transition has shifted. Wind and solar-generated over a tenth of global electricity and overtook nuclear generation for the first time.

In India, things seemed better as the continued impact of the pandemic in the first half of 2021 kept electricity demand muted and coal increased least. Electricity demand in 1H 2021 was only 3% more than the 1H 2019 levels. This is one of the lowest rises in developing Asia as pandemic restrictions continued. Almost 72% increase in demand of India was met by growth in solar and wind, which increased by 47% and 9%, individually.

Much of the increase in emissions resulted from massively grown demand in developing countries, especially in Asia. In China, electricity demand increased by 14% from 1H 2019 to 1H 2021 and is nearing European Union (EU) per capita levels. Only 29% of that increase in demand was met by wind and solar, while over two-thirds were met by coal power. The share of global coal generation in China increased from 50% before the pandemic to 53%.

Image Source

Global power sector emissions have increased 5% above pre-pandemic levels of the first half of 2019, while electricity demand also increased by 5%, as per the Ember report. Global power sector emissions rebounded in the first half of 2021, rising 12% from the lows witnessed in the first half of 2020 when Covid-19 lockdowns went into effect. The increased global electricity demand was met by wind and solar power of 57% but also by a rise in emissions-intensive coal power of 43% that caused the carbon emissions to rise. The Ember report comes in the wake of a recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which warned that time is running out for the world to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. As the world rebounds from the pandemic impact in 2020, the report compares the first six months of 2021 to the same period in 2019 to display for the first time how the electricity transition has shifted. Wind and solar-generated over a tenth of global electricity and overtook nuclear generation for the first time. In India, things seemed better as the continued impact of the pandemic in the first half of 2021 kept electricity demand muted and coal increased least. Electricity demand in 1H 2021 was only 3% more than the 1H 2019 levels. This is one of the lowest rises in developing Asia as pandemic restrictions continued. Almost 72% increase in demand of India was met by growth in solar and wind, which increased by 47% and 9%, individually. Much of the increase in emissions resulted from massively grown demand in developing countries, especially in Asia. In China, electricity demand increased by 14% from 1H 2019 to 1H 2021 and is nearing European Union (EU) per capita levels. Only 29% of that increase in demand was met by wind and solar, while over two-thirds were met by coal power. The share of global coal generation in China increased from 50% before the pandemic to 53%. Image Source

Next Story
Technology

AirBrick Infra Sets Rs 1 billion Target, Expands to Dubai and Tier-II Cities

AirBrick Infra, one of India’s fastest-growing AI-led commercial interior design and build firms, has announced a sales order target of Rs 1 billion for FY 2025–26. The projection represents a 50 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year and reflects rising demand, increased repeat business, and the company's robust tech-first delivery model.  Now in its third year of operations, AirBrick continues its rapid scale-up, having successfully delivered over 70 projects spanning 3 lakh sq ft in FY 2023–24. FY 2024–25 witnessed the onboarding of several Fortune 500 clients, sett..

Next Story
Resources

Virtusa Foundation Powers Green Education Drive in Bengaluru

The Virtusa Foundation, CSR arm of digital engineering and technology leader Virtusa Corporation, has announced key infrastructure and mobility initiatives at the Ramakrishna Mission, Shivanahalli, Bengaluru. The launch marks the inauguration of a 16-room residential facility for lady teachers and the deployment of two solar-powered electric buses, underscoring Virtusa’s commitment to its core pillars of Education, Environment and Empowerment (3Es).  Located on the forest fringe near Bannerghatta National Park, the initiative supports tribal and underserved communities, complementi..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Godrej Enterprises Drives India’s Smart Green Logistics Shift

As India accelerates its transformation into a global manufacturing and logistics hub, Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) is taking the lead with its smart, sustainable intralogistics solutions. Through its Material Handling Equipment (MHE) and Storage Solutions businesses, GEG is redefining operational efficiency in modern warehouses and factories using IoT, automation, and AI. GEG has consistently maintained a 20–25 per cent market share in the intralogistics sector over the past three years. Today, over 37 per cent of GEG’s revenues come from its Good & Green portfolio, and its net..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?