Europe Asia News

As renewable energy rapidly expands, coal’s share in electricity generation has declined. However, according to the annual State of Climate Action report released on Wednesday, the overall rise in electricity demand means that more coal is being used overall.

The report paints a bleak picture of the world’s chances of avoiding the growing impacts of the climate crisis. Countries are falling behind on their greenhouse gas reduction targets, and emissions continue to rise, albeit at a slower rate than before.

Clea Schumer, a researcher at the World Resources Institute think tank, said: “There’s no doubt that we are largely doing the right things. We’re just not moving fast enough. One of the most alarming findings in our fifth consecutive report is that efforts to phase out coal have gone off track.”

If the world is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement, to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, more sectors will need to switch to electricity instead of oil, gas, or other fossil fuels.

But this will only work if the global electricity supply shifts to a low-carbon foundation. Schumer added: “The problem is that an energy system based on fossil fuels has huge chain and domino effects. The message is very clear: if coal use continues to break records, we will not limit warming to 1.5 degrees.”