Posted on March, 16 2016

(Gland, Switzerland, 16 March 2016) – The International Energy Agency (IEA) today announced that preliminary data show that CO₂ emissions from the use of fossil fuels have stalled for the second year in a row.
 
Significantly, electricity generated by renewables played a critical role, accounting for about 90% of new electricity generation in 2015; wind alone produced more than half of new electricity generation.
 
Responding to the news, Samantha Smith, leader of WWF’s Global Climate and Energy Initiative said the news was further confirmation that an energy transition to renewables had begun. “Not only have energy-related emissions stalled, but it’s clear that clean, renewable energy played a major role. We will see the end of fossil fuels, the main source of climate pollution, and a just transition to a future powered by safe and modern renewable energy,” she said.
 
Dr Stephan Singer, WWF International’s director for global energy policy said the preliminary data showed that the efforts by multiple governments and investors to generate 90 per cent of all new power from clean renewables, mostly wind and solar, was starting gaining traction.
 
“The cost of renewable energy continues to go down and it is now much cheaper than new coal and gas in many, many countries. As more renewable energy gets deployed, costs will continue to sink. And solar and wind in particular would be even cheaper if the real costs of fossil fuels, including subsidies, climate pollution and dirty air, were included,” he said.
 
ends Notes for Editors:
 

1. To read the IEA’s announcement on this year’s CO2 emissions, click here.
2. To download the IEA’s annual energy-related CO₂ emissions data, click here. 
3. To read the IEA’s announcement last year about CO₂ emissions, click here. 

 
For further information, contact:

• Mandy Jean Woods mwoods@wwf.org.za / @MandyJeanWoods  / +27 72 393 0027
• Dr Stephan Singer ssinger@wwf.eu / +32 049 655 0709
• Sam Smith ssmith@wwf.no  / @pandaclimate / +47 450 22 149

 
About WWF - WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. The Global Climate & Energy Initiative (GCEI) is WWF’s global programme addressing climate change, promoting renewable and sustainable energy, scaling up green finance, engaging the private sector and working nationally and internationally on implementing low carbon, climate resilient development.
 
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