42. Decarbonisation

I just read two pieces of news today. The first was from the International Energy Agency that warns that decarbonisation of the global economy is proceeding alarmingly slowly. Despite rapid growth in renewables in recent years, the carbon intensity of energy production worldwide has remained flat for more than two decades. In 1990, 57.1 tonnes of CO2 were released per terrajoule produced while in 2010 the figure stood at 56.7. Not much change there! This puts decarbonisation efforts far below what is necessary to keep within a rise of 2˚C by 2050. Coal power continues to dominate growth in electricity generation. And about half of new capacity, found chiefly in the developing world, uses obsolete and inefficient technology. But there is some good news. Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are increasing and the advanced biofuels sector grew its capacity in 2012. More countries are also improving the energy efficiency of buildings and appliances. Photovoltaic capacity rose by 42% in 2012, with wind power growing by 19%. The second news item I read came from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency where research shows that Sweden reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 5% between 2011 and 2012, and that since 1990 Sweden has reduced its emissions by 20%. Sweden is in the process decarbonisation!