The world economy and energy use both grew in 2014 - but carbon emissions did not, writes Alex Kirby. The reason? The worldwide surge in renewables, especially in China, has reduced demand for coal in power generation.
… in energy consumption in recent years and 3% GDP growth last year, 2014's CO 2 emissions … renewables investments relative to per capita GDP were Burundi, Kenya, Honduras, Jordan and …
Coal consumption in China is likely to dwindle rapidly, writes Alex Kirby, leaving its own mining sector and foreign coal exporters in serious trouble. Australia and Indonesia are at greatest risk as China may soon stop importing any coal at all.
… It suggests four possible reasons: Slowing GDP growth and decreasing energy intensity …
For the second year running CO2 emissions flatlined even as the global economy was growing at around 3%, writes Alex Kirby. But sharply rising temperatures show the need for further massive renewable energy deployment to actually bring emissions down.
… to the International Monetary Fund, global GDP grew by 3.4% in 2014 and 3.1% in 2015. …