U.S. greenhouse gas reductions slowed as electricity demand surged
Greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. decreased by just 0.2% in 2024 as electricity consumption rose due to extreme heat and data center growth, despite increased renewable energy use.
Brad Plumer reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Electricity demand rose 3% in 2024, driven by heatwaves and the expansion of data centers, increasing natural gas use.
- Transportation emissions grew 0.8% as driving and flying increased, though electric vehicle sales rose to 10% of new cars.
- Oil and gas methane emissions fell by 3.7%, attributed to regulations and industry efforts to capture leaks.
Key quote:
“It’s not just a question of how many electric vehicles are on the road or how much solar we’ve installed. A big portion of our economy still relies on fossil fuels.”
— Ben King, Rhodium Group associate director
Why this matters:
Rising energy demand and slow progress in reducing emissions could hinder efforts to meet 2030 climate goals. Without significant reductions across key sectors, climate change impacts may intensify.
Read more: Nations face growing challenges in reducing emissions as global electricity demand increases
