Climate Change
💰 Record investment of 2.1 trillion dollars in green energy
Global investments in green energy increased by 11 percent to 2.1 trillion dollars during 2024. Electric vehicles and renewable energy account for the largest investments with 757 and 728 billion dollars respectively.
☀️ Solar power generated more electricity than coal in EU last year
Solar panels generated 11 percent of EU electricity in 2024, while coal power plants accounted for 10 percent. The use of fossil fuels decreased for the fifth consecutive year.
📉 Global CO2 emissions per person have peaked
CO2 emissions per person peaked in 2012 and have decreased since then. When emissions from land use are included, data shows the peak was reached already in the 1970s.
🏭 China's coal power reaches historically low share of electricity production
Coal power's share of China's electricity production drops below 60 percent for the first time this century. China's reduced coal use has global significance as the country accounts for 40 percent of the world's power-related emissions.
🔋 Global energy storage increased by 76% in 2024
Global energy storage installations reach 69 gigawatts and 169 gigawatt-hours in 2024, an increase of 76 percent compared to the previous year. The energy storage market will grow to 228 gigawatts by 2035, ten times larger than today.
⛽ China's declining gasoline consumption exceeds expectations
China's gasoline consumption will decrease by 4-5 percent annually until 2030. The decline in gasoline demand in China is more pronounced than in the US and Europe. PetroChina predicts that the number of gasoline-powered cars will peak already in 2025.
🚜 Solar cells transform agriculture in Pakistan
Pakistani farmers reduce their energy costs by up to 80 percent by installing solar panels for irrigation. 95 percent of farmland in the Lahore area has switched to solar power.
🌳 Forests can naturally regrow in area larger than Saudi Arabia, new study shows
Tropical forests can naturally regrow on 215 million hectares of land without trees needing to be planted. If all identified areas were reforested, it would sequester 23.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide over 30 years.
🧬 CRISPR adapts crops and livestock to withstand warmer climate
Scientists have already created cattle with shorter coats for warmer climates and rice that can handle drier conditions. Several companies are now working to develop corn with shorter and stronger stalks that reduce the risk of damage during severe storms.