Pathway for 1.5C

The global electricity sector is the largest CO2 emitter and must reach net zero by 2040 to facilitate the decarbonisation of other sectors. Following the IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario, wind and solar are identified as the primary drivers of this transition. By 2030, wind and solar must increase to 41% of global electricity generation, while coal and gas generation must decrease by 54% and 24% respectively. By 2040, unabated coal must be phased out globally, and unabated gas should provide only 0.3% of electricity. This transition is essential to support rising electricity demand in developing regions and the electrification of transport, heating, and industry.

• The electricity sector is the largest contributor to global CO2 emissions, accounting for more than one-third of energy-related emissions in 2021, with coal responsible for approximately 75% and gas for nearly 25% of those emissions.
• To align with a 1.5 degree trajectory, the global power sector must reach net zero by 2040, with OECD countries reaching this milestone by 2035.
• By 2030, wind and solar must comprise 41% of global electricity generation, an increase from 10% in 2021. During this period, coal generation must decrease by 54% and gas generation by 24%.
• By 2040, the global power sector must achieve net zero, requiring the total phase-out of unabated coal and limiting unabated gas to 0.3% of global electricity.
• Electricity's share of final energy consumption is projected to rise from 20% in 2022 to 27% by 2030, driven by the electrification of industry, heating, cooling, and transport.

APA

Ember (2023). Pathway for 1.5C. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/pathway-for-1-5c-ger2023/

Chicago

Ember. Pathway for 1.5C. 2023. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/pathway-for-1-5c-ger2023/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Pathway for 1.5C |date=12 April 2023 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/pathway-for-1-5c-ger2023/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2023pathway, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Pathway for 1.5C}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/pathway-for-1-5c-ger2023/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }