The push to turn from fossil fuels to renewable energy appears to be working, with a recent report from the think tank Ember suggesting it occupied a 40% share of global electricity in 2024. Use of fossil fuels, however, does not appear to have declined, with carbon dioxide emissions still increasing.
The rise in renewables
In the 1940s, when overall electricity needs were relatively low, renewables, particularly hydroelectric power, provided as much as 40% of energy requirements. Since then, however, demand has only risen, with fossil fuels contributing to climate change, pollution and other environmental issues, and costs associated with limited supplies of oil, coal and gas have risen.
As it became clear that fossil fuels were not a long-term, sustainable option, attention turned towards renewable sources. The fastest growing source of renewable power is solar, generating more than double its capacity compared with just three years ago. Around 50% of this solar expansion came from China, which continues to lead in renewables development. India was another significant contributor, producing twice as much electricity from solar in 2024 as it did in 2023. Meanwhile, more locally, solar panel installation Cheltenham is available from providers such as https://www.precisiongreenenergy.co.uk/renewables/solar-panel-installation/cheltenham/.
In all, solar is responsible for 7% of worldwide energy generation. The largest single source of renewable power is hydroelectric, at 14%. Meanwhile, wind provides 8% and nuclear 9%, though nuclear, like hydroelectric, has seen relatively slow growth.
Why are emissions still increasing?
What prevents the rise in renewables from having a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions is that it is still much slower than the overall increase in demand. This means that places such as China and India, along with other fast-growing economies in Asia, are still expanding their fossil fuel use. One reason is to power air conditioning, which has become increasingly important to navigate rising temperatures.
It may be good news that renewable sources are providing an increasing amount of energy, but if carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise, any reduction in pollution or climate change may be limited.
