The Changes in the Global Energy Mix 2021-2040

Urgency to transition to renewable energy has grown in the 1990s as the effects of climate change have become increasingly harmful. The 2015 COP21 Paris Agreement saw 196 nations agree to reach carbon neutrality by the middle of this century, calling for nations to work together to limit global warming to “well below 2°C", preferably 1.5°C compared to preindustrial levels.

In order to achieve this, a transition away from fossil fuels is required, to reduce carbon emissions. This is because 89% of all CO2 emissions are accounted for by coal, oil and gas combustion. Thus, this requires a 95% reduction in coal use, a 60% reduction in oil, and a 45% reduction in gas use, compared to 2019 levels in order to reach a 50% chance of meeting the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5°C.