Half of Global Economies Past Fossil Fuel Peak

Analysis from think tank Ember Climate has shown that half of the world’s economies are already five years past a peak in power generation from fossil fuels. The stude showed that power sector emissions in 107 economies, representing 38% of global electricity demand, have fallen by almost 20% in the last decade. Seventy-eight economies have displaced fossil fuels with clean energy following a post-2000 peak, with 49 doing so despite an increase in energy generation. Twenty-five economies have had fossil fuel demand and generation either fall or be replaced by imports. Four economies have increased electricity generation without ramping up fossil fuel power. The analysis showed that in almost every region of the world countries have moved beyond a peak in fossil fuel power. The EU, Oceania and North America are already in period of fossil fuel power decline, with fossil fuel generation dropping by 30%, 20% and 15% respectively. All but one EU member state has passed the milestone of five years since a peak in fossil fuel power since 2000. Fossil fuel power across Africa appears to have plateaued, with a similar flattening present for Latin America and the Caribbean. The only regions yet to reach a peak are Asia and the Middle East.

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