-
CO2 Capture and Utilisation
Country and regional highlights
CCUS and synthetic fuel policies are being strengthened in the United States and Europe
CO2 emissions
CO2 use can bring important climate benefits, but with caveats
Activity
CO2 use for synthetic fuels remains the leading new utilisation route
Technology installation and infrastructure
CCU supply chains can benefit from synergies with fossil-based synthetic fuel production and CCS
Innovation
Policy
Investment
Venture capital investment in CCU continues to grow
-
Lighting
Country and regional highlights
Prominent progress in increasing standards and labels for lighting
CO2 emissions
CO2 emissions by lighting increased marginally in 2022, despite increased uptake of efficient lamps
Energy
Increased energy demand for service lighting more than offset a drop in residential lighting in 2022
Activity
Increasing building space and population is driving additional demand for lighting
Technology deployment
LED is now the leading lighting technology in homes
-
Nuclear Power
A new era for nuclear energy beckons as projects, policies and investments increase
As the world’s second-largest source of low-emissions electricity after hydropower, nuclear power today produces just under 10% of global electricity supply. Now, fresh momentum around the world has the potential to open a new era for nuclear energy.
Power generation from the global fleet of nearly 420 active nuclear reactors is set to reach a record high in 2025 as Japan restarts production, maintenance works are completed in France, and new reactors begin commercial operations in various markets, including China, Europe, India and Korea…
-
Smart Grids
Country and regional highlights
Several major economies have announced substantial new funding to modernise and digitalise their electricity grids
Deployment
Clean, reliable and resilient electricity systems need smart grids more than ever
Innovation
Digital infrastructure in electricity grids is growing
Investment
Investment in electricity grids is growing, with more ambitious network plans to facilitate the electrification of the economy and the integration of renewables
International collaboration
-
Grid-scale Storage
Country and regional highlights
Major markets target greater deployment of storage additions through new funding and strengthened recommendations
Technology deployment
Pumped-storage hydropower is still the most widely deployed storage technology, but grid-scale batteries are catching up
Innovation
While innovation on lithium-ion batteries continues, further cost reductions depend on critical mineral prices
Policy
Investment
-
Steel
Country and regional highlights
Near zero-emission projects advance fastest in Europe, with some progress for low-emissions facilities globally
CO2 emissions
The CO2 emission intensity of steel has been relatively stable in recent years, but needs to drop significantly to align with the NZE Scenario
Energy
A reduction in reliance on coal and an increase in electricity use are required to get on track with the NZE Scenario
Activity
Technology deployment
Innovation
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
-
Digitalisation
Country and regional highlights
Countries are increasingly preparing their infrastructure for digitalisation
Energy
Digital technologies can help increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the energy system
CO2 emissions
Digital technologies are directly responsible for around 2% of energy-related GHG emissions today
Technology deployment
Deployment of smart meters and connected devices continues to grow
Investment
Private sector strategies
Policy
-
Direct Air Capture
Country and regional highlights
The United States is leading the race on policy support for DAC
CO2 capture
DAC plants currently operate on a small scale, but with plans to grow
Energy
How can we capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere?
Innovation
A small but growing DAC technology portfolio is emerging
Supporting infrastructure
DAC deployment for carbon removal relies on the availability of low-carbon energy sources and CO2 storage
Policy
Investment
International collaboration
-
Rail
Country and regional highlights
Europe targets modernisation of the rail network and India rapid electrification, while China is expanding its network with a focus on high-speed rail
CO2 emissions
Rail is the least emissions-intensive mode of passenger transport – its expansion will help reduce overall emissions
Energy
Expansion of electric trains continues rapidly in the NZE Scenario, particularly to replace diesel-powered freight trains
Activity
Innovation
Policy
Acknowledgements
-
Space Cooling
Country and regional highlights
Updated energy efficiency standards and new policies target emissions associated with space cooling
CO2 emissions
Progress on efficiency and power decarbonisation have not been sufficient to curb emissions growth from rising space cooling demand
Energy
In 2022 energy consumption for space cooling further increased by more than 5% from 2021
Activity
Technology deployment
Innovation
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
International collaboration