Turning point: decoupling CO2 emissions and economic growth

The study “Decoupling greenhouse gas emissions from economic growth” commissioned by the Heinrich Böll Foundation examines the developments over the period 1990-2014.

In the past, energy consumption increased along with global economic performance. In 2014, greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector fell for the first time while the economy grew.

This is due to improved energy efficiency and the expansion of renewable energies. Since 2004, wind and solar energy have been the fastest-growing energy sources worldwide. The expansion of renewable energies has once again accelerated significantly in the past four years. This is especially true for the OECD countries, but also China.

Link to study (ENG 2.48 KB)