2020 saw the largest annual decline in primary energy consumption since 1945, with a drop of 4.5%, according to BP’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2021.
The opportunity to hit net zero by 2050 globally is “narrow but still achievable” if renewables grow to dominate the energy sector, while no additional investments into fossil fuels are made.
COP26 president-designate and ex-energy secretary Alok Sharma has called for an end of international coal finance in a speech marking six months till the international climate conference.
Wind and solar have driven a record fall in global coal generation in 2020, although this was heavily impacted by the low electricity demand caused by COVID-19.