In 2024, Coal Use Reaches All-Time High
Last year, global coal consumption reached its highest level on record.
Although the use of renewable energy is rapidly increasing,
Overall electricity demand has grown so much that coal consumption has not decreased.
The Share of Renewables Is Increasing Gradually
In 2019, coal accounted for 37% of electricity generation,
but by 2024, this figure had slightly decreased to 34%.
During the same period, the share of solar and wind power increased from 13% to 15%.
While the proportions are changing, the absolute amount of usage remains high.
"At This Pace, the 1.5-Degree Target Is Unattainable"
The international community pledged in the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit the rise in global average temperature
to within 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
However, as coal and oil consumption has not decreased,
the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions is slipping further away.
The Trump Administration’s “Reverse Course”
Donald Trump, President of the United States, is delivering a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the 23rd of last month. Photo by Reuters
원본보기 아이콘The report also identified the anti-renewable energy policies of the Trump administration in the United States as a risk factor.
President Trump claimed that "climate change is a hoax" and defended the use of fossil fuels,
even threatening retaliatory tariffs on countries promoting renewable energy policies.
"Solar and Wind Must Double Their Pace"
Experts have assessed solar power as "the fastest-growing energy source," but
to achieve targeted carbon emission reductions by the late 2030s,
a transition speed more than twice as fast as now is required.
Industries such as building heating and steel production are still lagging behind in reducing carbon emissions.
Forests Are Also at Risk
Last year, the area of forest irreversibly damaged reached 8 million hectares.
This figure is actually higher than in 2021.
The "lungs of the Earth" that absorb carbon are steadily shrinking.
The Earth's Clock Has Stopped
While progress is being made in addressing the climate crisis,
the pace is still far too slow.
The Earth's clock remains shrouded in coal smoke.
