euronews.com
Global Energy Demand Soars, Driving Emissions Increase Despite Renewable Growth
Global energy demand increased by 2.2% in 2024, driven by electricity use (up 4.3%), resulting in a 0.8% rise in energy-related carbon emissions despite record renewable energy generation. Extreme weather exacerbated fossil fuel use.
- How did extreme weather events specifically contribute to the rise in energy demand and the increased reliance on fossil fuels?
- Extreme weather significantly impacted energy demand, accounting for a fifth of the increased natural gas and electricity needs and all of the coal increase (123 million tonnes). This highlights the vulnerability of energy systems to climate change impacts.
- What were the key factors driving the significant increase in global energy demand in 2024, and what were the resulting emissions impacts?
- Global energy demand surged by 2.2% in 2024, nearly double the average of the previous decade. This increase, driven by electricity use (up 4.3%), led to a 0.8% rise in energy-related carbon emissions despite record renewable energy contributions.
- Considering the current trends in renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency, what are the prospects for achieving global net-zero emissions targets, and what further policy interventions may be needed?
- While renewables and nuclear power contributed significantly to new electricity generation, the substantial increase in fossil fuel use demonstrates the challenges in rapidly transitioning away from them. Meeting the COP28 goals on energy efficiency improvements appears unlikely based on current trends.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction emphasize the increase in energy demand and emissions, potentially framing the situation as overwhelmingly negative. While the article does mention positive trends in renewable energy, these are presented later and may not receive the same prominence as the negative aspects. The use of phrases like "shopped up" and "whopping surge" contributes to this negative framing.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral but phrases like "whopping surge", "clear trend", and describing the situation as "calling into question...the global appetite for climate action" lean slightly towards alarmist or dramatic, influencing the reader's interpretation. More neutral alternatives could include 'significant increase', 'substantial growth', and 'raising concerns about' respectively.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the increase in energy demand and emissions, but omits discussion of specific policies or initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change. While acknowledging the COP28 pledges, it doesn't delve into the effectiveness or implementation challenges of those pledges. This omission might leave readers with an incomplete picture of the efforts being made to address the issue.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy between economic growth and emissions reduction. While it highlights the decoupling of economic growth from emissions growth, it also emphasizes the continued rise in emissions, implying a trade-off between the two. The reality is likely more nuanced, with possibilities for sustainable economic growth alongside emissions reduction.
Sustainable Development Goals
The report highlights a 2.2% increase in global energy demand, driven partly by extreme weather and increased use of energy-intensive technologies. This resulted in a 0.8% rise in energy-related carbon emissions, hindering progress towards climate goals. The increased reliance on coal, oil, and gas to meet energy demand further exacerbates the situation, despite growth in renewables.