Global carbon emissions remained flat for the third year in a row, driven by a globally weak demand for energy and a cleaner energy mix, according to the 66th edition of the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, published by BP.
Global primary energy consumption increased by just 1 percent in 2016, following growth of 0.9 percent in 2015 and 1 percent in 2014. This compares with the 10-year average of 1.8 percent a year. It is lowest three-year average for emissions growth since 1981-1983.
Energy consumption in China grew by just 1.3 percent in 2016. Growth during 2015 and 2016 was the lowest over a two-year period since 1997-1998. Despite this, China remained the world’s largest growth market for energy for a 16th consecutive year. The country’s coal production fell by 7.9 percent in 2016, while the price of steam coal increased by over 60 percent.
The use of coal also helped global coal use fall by 1.7 percent.
Oil remained the world’s leading fuel, accounting for a third of global energy consumption. Global oil consumption growth averaged 1.6 million barrels per day.
World natural gas consumption grew by 63 billion cubic meters.
And renewable power (excluding hydro) grew by 14.1 percent in 2016. Wind provided more than half of renewables growth, while solar energy contributed almost a third despite accounting for only 18 percent of the total. Asia Pacific overtook Europe & Eurasia as the largest producing region of renewable power.
China overtook the United States to be the largest single renewables producer.
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