Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Trends

This chapter takes a closer look at current energy trends, specifically the current dynamics of energy markets to see how we can decarbonize energy systems. In 2010, primary energy was approximately 13 billion tons of oil and final energy consumption was 9 billion tons of oil equivalent; oils the biggest source of primary energy, and fossil fuels are the major sources of primary energy. Coal as a primary source of energy is mainly used in the industry sector, oil in the transport sector, gas in the residential and commercial building sector, and electricity in the residential and commercial building sector. Emissions worldwide are rising in China, but falling worldwide due to economic recessions, shift from coal to gas, and climate change mitigation policies. CO2 emissions rose quickly because the carbon content of energy consumption increased, so in fact, we are carbonizing our energy system, leading towards rise in mean surface temperature of 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. We should be further de-coupling energy consumption growth from GDP growth and decreasing carbon content of energy by relying on low or zero carbon sources of energy. This video is part of the module The Deep Decarbonization of Energy Systems.

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