According to the IEA, worldwide energy demand (electricity, heat and fuel) increased by 2.3% in 2018 and CO2 emissions rose by 1.7%. The global energy mix is still 80% fossil fuel based. Gas and electricity demand increased sharply (4.8% and 3.7%) but there was no drop in demand for coal and oil (up 0.7% and 1% respectively).
The transition to digital, decentralised, low-carbon energy solutions should enable us to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement (see renewable energy, energy recovery, waste-to-energy, energy storage).
However, all this only makes sense if we work to promote energy efficiency above all else. According to the IEA, worldwide investment in this area reached USD 236 billion in 2017 (up 3% on 2016). The breakdown was 59% on building initiatives (insulation, lighting and more efficient equipment), 26% on transport and 15% on industry.
