Report: Global Carbon Emissions Plateau; Wind, Solar Grow

Facts

According to a report published by energy think tank Ember, carbon emissions from the global energy sector stalled in the first six months of 2023 and may peak later this year while global wind and solar power increased.¹
The report, which analyzed data from January to June 2023, covered 78 countries that reportedly make up about 92% of global electricity demand.²
It found that the global power sector released 0.2% more carbon in the first half of 2023 than last year. However, the report also found that wind and solar energy contributed 14.3% of global electricity, up from 12.8% in 2022.³
However, there was a historic fall in hydropower generation (-8.5%) due to droughts. As a result, fossil fuel generation grew marginally to meet this shortfall.⁴
The report's findings come after the International Energy Agency (IEA) recently warned that renewables must triple by the end of 2030 to achieve the world's climate goals.⁵
A failure to do so, the IEA claims, would mean having to remove nearly 5B tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year during the second half of this century.⁶

Narrative A, as provided by Energy live news. The impressive rise of solar and wind energy, along with other renewables, in the mix of global energy sources shows that collective action can lead to planet-saving results. Some of the world's worst polluters, like China and India, have led the way in weaning the international community from fossil fuels. The world can breathe a sigh of relief.
Narrative B, as provided by Guardian. The deficit in hydropower generation shows how fickle the global renewable energy mix is. This must put the world on guard. The international community must ensure that the advances made till now are not squandered. It must remain focused on tripling the world's renewable energy capacity, which is the only thing that can pause the world's runaway warming.