Ten charts show how the world is progressing on clean energy

Dec 13, 2018

A worker operates a machinery to clean solar panels at a photovoltaic industrial park in Hami, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China October 22, 2018. Picture taken October 22, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. - RC1863B9EEF0

Solar panels being cleaned in China Image: REUTERS/Stringer

Iain Staffell

Lecturer in Sustainable Energy Systems, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Centre for Environmental Policy

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The carbon intensity of electricity generation during 2017, in grams of CO2 per kWh. The map includes all countries for which data is available. The bar chart ranks 25 major economies including all G7 and BRICS countries. Bar widths represent the amount of electricity consumed in each country, with a minimum width so that smaller countries are still visible. Image: Drax 2018.

The change in carbon intensity of electricity generation over the last decade, in grams of CO2 per kWh. Shades of blue and green indicate reductions while yellows and reds are increases. Image: Drax 2018.

The installed capacity of wind power at the end of 2017, in gigawatts (GW). Image: Drax 2018.

The number of electric vehicles on the roads (both battery and plug-in hybrid) as of September 2018. Image: Drax 2018 and EV-volumes 2018.

The share of electric vehicles (both battery and plug-in hybrid) within new car sales, for the 12 months to September 2018. Bar widths represent each country’s population. Image: Drax 2018 and EV-volumes 2018.

The energy consumed per person for transportation of people and goods, in megawatt-hours (MWh) per person per year. Bar widths represent each country’s population. Image: Drax 2018.

The change in energy consumed per person for transportation of people and goods over the last decade, showing the percentage rise (reds) or fall (blues) in MWh per person per year consumed. Bar widths represent each country’s population. Image: Drax 2018.

The change in energy consumed for heating and powering households over the last decade, showing the percentage rise (reds) or fall (blues) in MWh per person per year consumed. Bar widths represent each country’s population. Image: Drax 2018.

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The level of subsidies offered to fossil fuels per person in 2016, including direct expenditures by government, forgone tax revenues and other fiscal concessions. Bar widths represent each country’s population. Image: Drax 2018.

The installed capacity for carbon capture at large-scale CCS facilities as of the end of 2017, measured as kg of CO2 that can be captured per person per year. Actual level of capture may be lower, if facilities do not run at full availability. Bar widths represent each country’s population. Image: Drax 2018.

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