A shift no country can ignore': where global emissions stand, 10 years after the Paris climate agreement

"Renewable energy smashed records last year, growing by 15% and accounting for more than 90% of all new power generation capacity. Investment in clean energy topped $2tn, outstripping that into fossil fuels by two to one. Electric vehicles now account for about a fifth of new cars sold around the world. Low-carbon power makes up more than half of the generation capacity of China and India, with China's emissions now flattening, and most developed countries on a downward trend."

"Would this have happened without the Paris agreement? Unlikely, according to Bill Hare, chief executive of the Climate Analytics thinktank. He said: The 1.5C limit [for rising global temperatures] and the net zero goal have reshaped policy, finance, litigation and sectoral rules, helping to rewire how states, markets and institutions work."

Renewable energy grew 15% last year and supplied more than 90% of new power-generation capacity. Clean-energy investment topped $2tn, outstripping fossil-fuel investment by two to one. Electric vehicles now represent about one-fifth of new global car sales. Low-carbon power accounts for over half of generation capacity in China and India, with China's emissions flattening and most developed countries showing declining emissions. The 1.5C target and net-zero goals have reshaped policy, finance, litigation, and sectoral rules. Global temperature projections improved from over 4C before Paris to around 2.5C if current commitments are fulfilled.

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