Power

POWER DEMAND AND COAL DROVE EMISSIONS GROWTH

In China and India rapid growth in electricity demand mirrored rapid economic growth, while the most readily available source of indigenous fuel was coal. In the EU and U.S., slower demand growth and a gradual move away from coal to nuclear, gas, and renewable sources kept emissions from growing and led to recent declines. In all four countries, despite strong growth in renewable energy, its impact on carbon intensity was only beginning to be felt.

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subjectEmissions

These graphs show the changes in Power emissions and growth in China, the EU, India, and the US

 
 
 

United States Emissions and generation

There was steady emissions and generation growth through the mid-2000s. Until recently, emissions grew in tandem with increasing electricity demand.

     
     
     
     

    European Union Emissions and generation in the EU27

    Emissions intensity fell fast enough that emissions declined overall, even though electricity generation grew.

       
       
       
       

      India Greenhouse gas emissions and generation

      Emissions largely tracked the growth in electricity generation.

         
         
         
         

        China Greenhouse gas emissions and generation

        Electricity generation and the associated CO₂ emissions increased significantly in the past three decades, with generation growth accelerating significantly in the tenth Five Year Plan (2001-2005). Since 2006, the growth in power demand has slowed slightly with CO₂ emissions following suit.

           
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