The carbon intensity of electricity generation has fallen in all regions since the turn of the century, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming decades. As of 2020, the Asia-Pacific region had the highest CO₂ intensity from electricity generation of any region, at 599 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour. Projections show that by 2050, should all NDCs be successfully achieved, the CO₂ intensity in the Asia-Pacific region will have decreased to 199 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour. North America is forecast to have the lowest emissions intensity by 2050, at 19 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour. The United States accounts for the majority of electric power emissions in North America.
Forecasted CO₂ intensity of electricity generation worldwide from 2000 to 2050, by region (in grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour)*
Characteristic
Asia-Pacific
CIS
Middle-East
Africa
Latin America
North America
Europe
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CO₂ intensity of electricity generation represents the amount of anthropogenic CO2 emissions associated to the generation of one kilowatt-hour of electricity.
Forecast is based on the successful achievement of NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) announced in the 2015 Paris agreement (not including most recent updates). Sustained economic development in emerging countries drives global energy demand, but NDCs play a key role in controlling the pace of growth. This scenario is compatible with a global temperature rise between 3 degrees Celsius and 4 degrees Celsius.
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Enerdata. (June 28, 2022). Forecasted CO₂ intensity of electricity generation worldwide from 2000 to 2050, by region (in grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour)* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1257765/global-emission-intensity-electricity-generation-region/
Enerdata. "Forecasted CO₂ intensity of electricity generation worldwide from 2000 to 2050, by region (in grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour)*." Chart. June 28, 2022. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1257765/global-emission-intensity-electricity-generation-region/
Enerdata. (2022). Forecasted CO₂ intensity of electricity generation worldwide from 2000 to 2050, by region (in grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour)*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1257765/global-emission-intensity-electricity-generation-region/
Enerdata. "Forecasted Co₂ Intensity of Electricity Generation Worldwide from 2000 to 2050, by Region (in Grams of Carbon Dioxide per Kilowatt Hour)*." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 Jun 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1257765/global-emission-intensity-electricity-generation-region/
Enerdata, Forecasted CO₂ intensity of electricity generation worldwide from 2000 to 2050, by region (in grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour)* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1257765/global-emission-intensity-electricity-generation-region/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Forecasted CO₂ intensity of electricity generation worldwide from 2000 to 2050, by region (in grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour)* [Graph], Enerdata, June 28, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1257765/global-emission-intensity-electricity-generation-region/