No fossil fuel phase-out yet despite rapid renewables growth: CCPI report
Renewables are surging globally, yet fossil fuel phase-out has stalled, says a new report by Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) released during COP29 in Baku.
(Baku, Azerbaijan) — At the ongoing COP29 talks in Baku, a new report released by CCPI shows that renewable energy is making rapid progress in almost every high-emitting country. However, the report reveals that too many countries are still clinging to prolonging the fossil fuels business model, especially for gas.
The report published by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and CAN International each year assesses the progress made by the largest emitters worldwide in terms of emissions, renewables and climate policy.
The European Union plus 63 countries assessed in the CCPI are responsible for 90% of global emissions. This year, the CCPI paints a mixed picture: while 61 of the 64 countries have increased the share of renewables in their energy mix over the past five years, emission trends in 29 countries are still rated low or very low.
The report noted one CCPI indicator, comparing the current per capita GHG emissions level with a Paris-aligned pathway, shows the majority of surveyed CCPI countries have emissions exceeding the Paris temperature goal.
To keep the 1.5°C goal within reach, the report recommended that the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) must close the existing ambition gap – the distance between the emissions that countries’ NDCs imply and a Paris-aligned pathway.
Jan Burck, Senior Advisor of Low-Carbon Strategies & Energy at Germanwatch, co-author of the CCPI, said that large parts of the world have recognised that renewables are a cost-effective and safe choice for the energy supply.
“Renewables are in the fast lane, especially in the electricity sector. In addition, there is an increasing electrification of the mobility, residential and industrial sectors. The trend towards electrification is continuing, while new storage technologies are developing at the same time. Nevertheless, there is still massive resistance from the fossil fuel lobby. Countries should not fall deeper into the fossil trap.”
Professor Niklas Höhne, another co-author from the NewClimate Institute adds that the world is at a turning point. He said the peak of global emissions is closely in sight, noting that now it is crucial to start a rapid decline.
“Cutting emissions drastically is the only measure that can prevent further dangerous consequences of climate change. Time is running out and we urgently need an emission turnaround,” he added.