Global Energy CO2 Emissions Reach New Peak in 2024

Global Energy CO2 Emissions Reach New Peak in 2024
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Carbon dioxide emissions from global energy sources increased by 1% in 2024, marking a record high for the fourth year in a row, Anadolu Agency reported citing the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy released on Thursday. Energy-related CO2-equivalent emissions totaled 40.8 gigatonnes, surpassing all previous records.

Energy demand worldwide grew by 2%, also reaching an unprecedented level last year. The year 2024 was the hottest on record, with global temperatures exceeding the 1.5°C warming threshold for the first time.

All major energy sources — coal, oil, gas, renewables, hydro, and nuclear — saw record usage. Electricity demand rose by 4%, outpacing overall energy growth and indicating a global shift toward electrification.

Wind and solar power expanded by 16%, growing nine times faster than total energy demand, yet this increase was insufficient to offset rising consumption. Fossil fuel use also grew by just over 1%, according to the report.

While renewable energy demand reached a new high, it supplemented rather than replaced existing energy sources, contributing to the overall growth in energy consumption.