In brief
New figures indicate that fossil fuel emissions are on track to hit record levels this year, raising concerns ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Brazil. Despite this alarming trend, the growth of renewable energy sources, especially solar power, offers a glimmer of hope as emissions growth trends slow down over the past decade. Analysts suggest that global emissions may soon peak, as renewable energy continues to expand rapidly.
The world's burning of fossil fuels is set to release more planet-warming carbon dioxide than ever before this year, new figures show.
It is another sign that efforts to fight climate change by cutting emissions are moving far too slowly to meet international targets, as countries meet in Brazil for UN climate talks COP30.
But emissions have grown much less quickly over the past decade as renewables have taken off, providing hope that the world's warming trend can still be curbed.
And separate analysis by clean energy think tank Ember suggests that fossil fuel use in electricity generation has flatlined in 2025, largely thanks to the rapid growth of solar power.
This effect of the renewables boom is highlighted by emissions in the power or electricity sector. Electricity generated from fossil fuels is forecast to flatline or even decline slightly this year, according to the think tank Ember, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
What happens in the power sector is particularly important in the fight against climate change. It is the single biggest emitting sector and is expected to play an increasing role in the energy system as more people buy electric cars, heat pumps and other technologies.
While carbon emissions from energy systems might peak within the next few years according to the International Energy Agency, there remains uncertainty about the exact timing. Achieving this peak, however, would mark a critical moment in the global effort against climate change.
