The climate scenario in 2024 has been, for the most part, bleak. Global greenhouse gas emissions have reached a record 37.4 billion metric tons, while the year is poised to be the hottest on record, with temperatures 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels by September. Global climate negotiations have not made progress, and disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes, continue to be worsened by climate change.
However, amid so much negative news, some advances have brought hope: we have seen progress in reducing the use of the most polluting fossil fuels, cheaper technologies to combat the climate crisis, and continued global efforts to tackle the problem. As we approach the end of 2024, let’s reflect on these positives.
Goodbye to coal
One of the most significant climatic moments of the year occurred in the United Kingdom. Historically dependent on coal to generate electricity (65% of demand in 1990), the country shut down its last coal plant on September 30, 2024.
Renewable sources are filling this gap. Wind farms in the UK already generate more electricity than coal and gas plants combined.
This symbolic milestone reflects real progress in abandoning this polluting fossil fuel. In the United States, coal represented about 50% of the electricity mix four decades ago, but has dropped to 16% in 2023. According to the International Energy Agency, coal use is expected to stabilize and begin to decline by the end of the decade.
However, the pace needs to accelerate, especially in countries like China where energy demand continues to grow. There are also concerns about increased energy demand for data centers, including those powering AI, which could make it difficult to close old coal plants.
Batteries remain cheaper
Lithium-ion battery packs are cheaper than ever, with prices falling 20% in 2024 to $115 per kilowatt-hour, according to data from BloombergNEF. This was the biggest drop since 2017.
Batteries are central to combating climate change. They power electric vehicles (EVs), essential for decarbonizing transport, and play a growing role in the electrical grid, storing energy from renewable sources, such as wind and sun.
The drop in prices is good news for the adoption of EVs, which are still more expensive than combustion cars in most countries. The pace of cost reduction is impressive: 10 years ago, batteries cost six times more than they do today.
Despite this, the EV market has had mixed news heading into 2024, with a slowdown in demand growth. Still, sales continue to grow globally, with China leading the way, accounting for three-quarters of new EV registrations through October.
Climate technologies continue to innovate
Amid the energy and climate stories of 2024, there are reasons for optimism about what comes next.
Some initiatives look for solutions in nature, such as a company growing microbes in bioreactors to supplement food sources or researchers using plants to mine essential metals in combating climate change.
Others are betting on biology, like Jennifer Doudna, who explores the potential of CRISPR to address climate challenges. Companies are implementing air conditioning systems that work like batteries and store energy for later use. The US Department of Energy invests in projects that concentrate solar heat to power electrical grids or industrial processes. Startups are developing fish-safer hydropower technologies and magnets made from widely available materials.
In October, we published our list of “15 Climate Tech Companies to Watch,” with startups ranging from wildfire detection using AI to supplements to reduce livestock emissions.
( fonte: MIT Technology Review)
