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Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions stabilised last year according to the International Energy Agency. The IEA hopes it’s not just another pause in growth.
The IEA reports energy-related emissions flattened at approximately 33 gigatonnes in 2019 following two years of increases, primarily due to declines from electricity generation in advanced economies1. This was a result of increased renewables uptake – primarily wind and solar energy – switching from coal to natural gas, milder weather and slowing economic growth in some countries, and higher nuclear power output2.
Leading the pack in terms of countries was the USA, which saw a fall of 140 million tonnes (Mt), or 2.9%, to 4.8 gigatonnes (Gt). The IEA notes a 15% reduction in the use of coal for power generation in the USA in 2019. Roughly 15,100 megawatts of coal-fired electricity generation capacity was either retired or converted in the USA last year. Aside from just being an impressive figure, the shutdown of coal power plants will also save lives and crops.
Some other results:
- European Union (including UK) energy related emissions dropped by 160 Mt, or 5%, to reach 2.9 Gt
- Germany was a standout player in the EU: down 8% to 620 Mt
- Japan: down 4.3% to 1,030 Mt
While Australia wasn’t mentioned specifically in the IEA report, electricity related emissions here for the year to June 2019 were estimated to be down 1.2 per cent or 2.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) according to the most recent Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The publication is meant to be quarterly, but there doesn’t appear to have been any further updates published since June last year.
Coal Demand Grew In Asia
It wasn’t all good news – the IEA report states emissions outside advanced economies grew close to 400 Mt in 2019 due to expanding use of coal, with Asia representing almost 80% of the increase. China’s emissions rose but were reined in by a slowdown in economic growth, an expansion in renewables and the first full year of operations for seven nuclear reactors.
The IEA was pleased with overall result, which defied expectations of yet another increase.
“We now need to work hard to make sure that 2019 is remembered as a definitive peak in global emissions, not just another pause in growth,” said IEA Executive Dr Fatih Birol.
The full IEA Global CO2 Emissions In 2019 report can be found here.
Footnotes
- Advanced economies are defined by the IEA as Australia, Canada, Chile, European Union, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey, and United States. ↩
- But RenewEconomy points out the global nuclear power industry actually went backwards in 2019, with the permanent shutdown of nine nuclear power reactors, the startup of just six and the construction start of three ↩
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Finally! Finger’s crossed it is the start of large reductions and not just a pause. But with coal consumption falling 24% over a year in the EU, things are looking hopeful.
Edit: Wait a minute, that’s not because of Brexit is it? Let me see… no. Brexit was this year, the 24% fall was last year.
Coal use in mature advanced markets will continue to fall. Power stations are being closed and no new ones are being built.
Asia is still a massive challenge as coal energy is still the cheapest form of power in that region. This will change in time.
Electric cars are having a very tiny impact to oil demand but as more options become available at a lower cost this will start to bite eventually.
What we need is sensible long term government action to assist the transition without impacting jobs or the economy for the masses.