OECD Energy Rose As Consumption & Emissions Fell

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

New figures have shown further decoupling of OECD countries’ economic growth from carbon emissions, as energy production rose but consumption and emissions fell.

In fact, energy production for the 34 countries within the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development rose 4% to a record high of 4,147 Million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), exceeding 4,000 Mtoe for the first time, according to new figures published by the International Energy Agency.

OECD energy supply: 1971-2014

IEA-22

TPES* = Total primary energy supply

However, just as energy production has increased, the IEA found that energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 1.4% to 11.9 Gt in 2014, representing an 8% decline since 2007, when emissions sat at 12.9 Gt.

OECD CO2 emissions from fuel combustion (1971-2014)

IEA-23

Trends differed across various OECD regions, with CO2 emissions in OECD Europe falling by 5% in 2014. In OECD Asia Oceania, emissions fell by 2.5%. However, in OECD Americas, emissions rose by 0.9%.

Unsurprisingly, OECD electricity generation was still dominated by fossil fuels in 2014, accounting for 59%, made up primarily of coal and gas. However, hydro electricity generation accounted for 13% in 2014, while non-hydro renewables and waste rose to 10%.

OECD electricity generation mix: 2014

IEA-24

Solar PV led the way, increasing 26%, followed by wind with an increase of 9%, leading at least in part to a decrease of the share of fossil fuel in the OECD’s total electricity generation by 2%.

With these increases, renewable electricity generation reached a record high.

OECD electricity generation from renewables: 1971-2014

IEA-25

 


Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest CleanTechnica TV Video


Advertisement
 
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.

Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

Joshua S Hill has 4403 posts and counting. See all posts by Joshua S Hill