Energy Supply 2016
The electricity generation sector is the world’s single largest emitter of climate changing greenhouse gases (GHGs). Globally, increasing access for half of the world’s population without electricity is a policy priority. Given the sector’s reliance on carbon-intensive sources, an increase in access will lead to significant GHG emissions growth unless electricity generation sources are diversified to include cleaner options or CO2 mitigating technologies become commonplace. For the first time, an international coalition of 195 countries at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP) reached an agreement to reduce GHG emissions, pursue clean energy options, and take other steps to mitigate the risks associated with climate change. As a global society, how can we most effectively minimize emissions from electricity generation around the world, while still enabling the sector's growth?