In 2025, nuclear accounted for roughly 23% of EU electricity generation , ahead of wind at about 18% and natural gas at around 17%, based on data compiled by energy analysts and platforms tracking Europe’s power system.

Combined, low-carbon sources, including nuclear, wind, solar and hydropower, now make up the majority of electricity generation across the EU.

This reflects a broader structural shift. According to Ember and European energy data, wind and solar together generated more electricity than fossil fuels in 2025 for the first time, a milestone widely seen as a turning point in Europe’s energy transition.

Solar alone contributed roughly 13% of electricity generation, while wind accounted for close to 17%, supported by sustained investment and policy backing across the bloc.

Despite the growth of renewables, fossil fuels still play a significant role.

Natural gas, coal and oil together accounted for roughly 27% of EU electricity generation, underlining the bloc’s continued reliance on dispatchable power sources to stabilise grids during periods of low renewable output.

Gas remains particularly important for its flexibility, though analysts warn that Europe’s electricity prices remain closely tied to gas markets, exposing the system to geopolitical volatility.

Coal, once a dominant source of European power, has continued its long-term decline, falling below 10% of the electricity mix in recent data.

Renewable energy has expanded rapidly in recent years.

According to Eurostat and industry reports, renewables accounted for around 47% of EU electricity generation in 2024, up sharply from previous years, driven largely by wind and solar expansion.

In 2025, that momentum continued, with record solar installations and strong wind output contributing to further gains.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that renewables are now the fastest-growing sources of electricity globally, with solar leading growth and accounting for a significant share of new energy supply.

The long-term trajectory, illustrated by historical data, shows emissions accelerating sharply after the mid-20th century, a shift scientists link to industrialisation, population growth and the expansion of fossil fuel use.

In 1750, at the dawn of the industrial era, global CO₂ emissions were minimal, measured in just a few million tonnes annually.

By contrast, emissions from fossil fuels and cement were projected to reach around 38.1 billion tonnes (GtCO₂) in 2025 , marking a new all-time high, according to the Global Carbon Project.

This represents an increase of more than 4,000 times over pre-industrial levels, highlighting the scale of human impact on the atmosphere.

While emissions rose gradually during the 19th century, the steepest increase came after World War II, as economies expanded rapidly and energy demand surged.

Global emissions jumped from around 6 billion tonnes in 1950 to over 25 billion tonnes by 2000, before accelerating further in the 21st century.

Researchers say this period, often referred to as the “Great Acceleration”, transformed emissions from a slow-growing trend into a steep upward curve.

Coal, oil and gas continue to account for the vast majority of global emissions. The 2025 budget indicates that all major fossil fuel sources are still contributing to growth, despite the expansion of renewable energy.

China, the United States and India remain the largest emitters globally, reflecting both population size and industrial activity.

The rise in emissions has translated directly into higher concentrations of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

Global average atmospheric CO₂ levels reached around 422–425 parts per million in 2024–2025, roughly 50% higher than pre-industrial levels, according to the Global Carbon Budget.

Scientists warn that this increase is a key driver of global warming and climate instability.

Despite decades of climate negotiations, emissions continue to rise. The Global Carbon Budget projects a further 1.1% increase in 2025 , suggesting that global emissions have yet to reach a definitive peak.

While around 35 countries have managed to reduce emissions while growing their economies, these gains have been outweighed by increases elsewhere.

Scientists warn that the remaining “carbon budget”, the amount of CO₂ humanity can emit while limiting warming to 1.5°C, is rapidly being depleted.

At current emission rates, that budget could be exhausted within the next decade, raising the risk of more severe climate impacts, including extreme weather, sea-level rise and ecosystem disruption.

According to Slashgear , generating just one AI image consumes about 0.011 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. That might sound small, but it’s roughly the same amount of energy your refrigerator uses in four minutes.

To put it in perspective, a standard fridge running continuously for a full day consumes about 4 kWh, according to EnergySage .

That means every AI-generated picture carries a tangible, if tiny, environmental footprint, one that multiplies quickly when millions of images are created daily across platforms.

While a fridge hums quietly in the background, the servers powering AI models run at massive data centres, drawing electricity from grids that often rely on fossil fuels.

Slashgear notes that a single AI image may require dozens of processing steps from high-performance GPUs, each contributing to that energy cost.

Multiply this by the growing number of users experimenting with tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or Stable Diffusion, and the numbers add up quickly.

Globally, the conversation around AI’s energy footprint is intensifying. The UN Environment Programme recently highlighted that as AI adoption accelerates, so does its electricity demand, raising concerns about sustainability and carbon emissions.

With major tech companies investing billions into generative AI, the race isn’t just about smarter models anymore; it’s also about greener ones.

Other major contributors include Indonesia, DR Congo, Brazil, the USA, Canada, Russia, and China. Together, these countries represent a substantial share of global deforestation, and the impact reaches far beyond their borders.

According to Market vs Media , Russia lost more than 4.2 million hectares of tree cover, and Brazil lost more than 3.3 million hectares. However, not all losses are permanent; some result from seasonal logging and wildfires. EARTH ORG estimates that the world loses 10 million hectares of forest each year, with 96% of this destruction concentrated in tropical regions, where biodiversity is richest and carbon storage is most vital.

The global trend is worrying: tree-cover loss has nearly doubled since the early 2000s, rising from 13.4 million hectares in 2001 to 29.6 million hectares in 2024. In total, the world has lost over 517 million hectares of tree cover, about 13% of what existed at the turn of the millennium.

This includes 3.7 million hectares of tropical primary forests lost in 2023, equivalent to ten soccer fields every minute. Fires alone accounted for 6.7 million hectares of loss in 2024, almost double the figure from the previous year.

These numbers reveal stark regional contrasts. Laos’s steep loss reflects rapid agricultural expansion and mining , while Sweden’s high percentage comes mainly from industrial logging, much of which will regrow, but still represents a major disruption to carbon cycles.

Bolivia’s situation is particularly concerning: while Brazil has reduced Amazon deforestation by 36% through stricter enforcement, Bolivia is seeing deforestation rise due to soy expansion and wildfires.

The economic consequences of deforestation are also becoming clearer. Tree loss threatens commodity markets tied to palm oil, beef, and soy, while increasing scrutiny from investors who are pivoting toward ESG-aligned funds .

Carbon markets are gaining traction, but without stronger incentives for forest-rich countries like DR Congo and Laos, permanent loss could accelerate, putting global climate targets at risk.

Announced in June, this second disbursement brings Côte d'Ivoire’s total earnings under the carbon contract to $50 million. The country had earlier received $35 million in June 2024 after reducing 7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

The funds are distributed directly to local communities, many of them former poachers now turned forest protectors, through mobile money platforms. According to World Bank Country Director Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, this system ensures transparency and traceability.

"Côte d'Ivoire is the first country in Africa and the second in the world, after Vietnam, to execute a carbon contract with the FCPF fully," she added.

Project coordinator Konan Éric explained that payments are based on verified environmental activities, with a new round of beneficiary registration set for July 2025. So far, 12,000 individuals have received funds, with the project aiming to support 30,000 beneficiaries.

Environment Minister Assahoré Konan Jacques emphasised the global relevance of Côte d'Ivoire’s achievement. “This strengthens our climate credibility internationally,” he said, highlighting that the country’s surplus carbon credits, exceeding 10 million tonnes, could serve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or be sold on global markets.

Vietnam emerged as a global leader in forest carbon finance, becoming the first country in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first globally under the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), to fully implement an Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) .

In March 2024, the country received a landmark $51.5 million payment for successfully reducing 10.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions between February 2018 and December 2019. This remains the largest single disbursement ever made under the FCPF program.

The Taï project demonstrates how carbon finance can fund both climate mitigation and poverty reduction, positioning Côte d'Ivoire as a model for carbon credit markets and climate action in Africa.

The World Bank, in its Climate Change Action Plan 2021 – 2025 , aims to reduce carbon emissions by supporting countries in developing and implementing strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

With 93% of its land covered by rainforest, the country is planning to start oil production from recently discovered offshore reserves.

Although this exercise threatens the carbon-negative status of the country, President Chan Santokhi claims the status will stay the same.

"The oil production can go hand in hand with the carbon negative status because we have also implemented, in addition to the oil and gas, our solar energy program. We will increase the solar energy, which will have a positive impact on our carbon-negative status. We will protect our forests," he told AFP.

This echoes his pledge at COP28 in Dubai in 2023.

“Let’s be very clear. Suriname will maintain its carbon negative status even when the offshore oil and gas industry is developed,” President Chan Santokhi said during his speech at the High-Level Segment of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP).

It was developed by China’s state-owned Cosco Ocean Shipping Heavy Industry Company and will be delivered by the end of the month, according to state media .

This floating production storage and offloading unit, known as an FPSO, can produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

It has the ability to trap the carbon dioxide it emits instead of releasing it into the air and also uses the heat from its exhaust gases to generate electricity, making it more energy-efficient.

China has been working to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2023, its largest offshore oil company, CNOOC, launched the country’s first carbon capture and storage project at an oilfield in Guangdong province. That facility can store 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Other oil and gas companies around the world are also exploring similar technology.

In January, an American agency approved a design for a carbon-capturing ammonia production unit, while a Dutch company is working on its own version of a carbon-capture FPSO.

China, the world’s largest polluter, has pledged to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2060.

Indonesian soldiers are preparing for the Republic Day 2025 parade in New Delhi, rehearsing on Kartavya Path. Rediff reports that the event showcases the Indonesian army's band and personnel as they get ready for the march. Photographers captured various moments, including soldiers posing and interacting with other military units.

Food sufficiency for Papuans

The Indonesian government, through Transmigration Minister M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, is focusing on helping young Papuans achieve food sufficiency. Since taking office in October 2024, Suryanagara has emphasised that Papua's development should be led by local talent, with external experts supporting the process. He announced plans for local transmigration to bolster human resources for food estate projects, ensuring that movements remain within the province to maintain national unity. Additionally, Deputy Minister Viva Yoga Mauladi highlighted the need to improve educational facilities in transmigration areas to enhance local human resources, Antara News reports.

Forest conversion

Activists are criticising Indonesia's plan to convert 20 million hectares of forest for food and energy production as "environmentally illogical and destructive." According to The Leader-Herald , the government aims to produce rice and bioethanol from sugar palm trees in a bid to boost food and energy sustainability under President Prabowo Subianto. However, environmental NGOs warn that this plan could lead to increased deforestation and exacerbate the expansion of oil palm plantations, Indonesia's top export, which already covers 17.77 million hectares. While the forestry minister claims the initiative will not clear forests but optimise agroforestry, activists argue that the focus should instead be on utilising existing agricultural land, respecting indigenous rights, and promoting genuine agrarian reform.

E-Visa application

Indian tourists can now apply for Indonesia's e-Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) online, streamlining the visa process for travellers from 97 eligible countries, including India. Economic Times reports that this digital platform, introduced by VFS Global, allows for quicker and more convenient applications, replacing the previous system that required obtaining visas at airports or embassies. Group booking features are also available for travel agents. The e-VoA permits a 30-day stay in Indonesia, with a possible extension of another 30 days, aligning with Indonesia's goal of attracting 14 million tourists by 2025.

International carbon trading platform

Indonesia has launched its first international carbon trading platform to support its climate goals, utilising blockchain technology for transparency and efficiency. Mahendra Siregar, head of the Financial Services Authority, noted the platform’s potential to attract foreign investment and foster sustainable development. Aligning with Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions, the country aims to reduce emissions by 31.89% domestically and 43.20% with international help by 2030, targeting net-zero emissions by 2060. This initiative is expected to enhance Indonesia's role in global climate action and aid in reducing carbon footprints, TV Brics reports.

However, challenges like shorter battery ranges and concerns about quality are still posing a challenge, especially in markets like Europe and the United States.

Windrose, a Chinese electric truck start-up, says its trucks can run up to 670 kilometres on a single charge. Founder Wen Han believes there is a growing demand for cleaner trucks worldwide that could improve cost savings and environmental goals.

Companies like BYD and other Chinese firms have already sent trucks to countries such as Italy, Mexico, and Poland, while also opening assembly plants abroad.

But rising tariffs from countries like the United States and the European Union could slow down China’s plans to dominate global EV truck markets. These tariffs aim to protect local businesses from cheaper Chinese vehicles.

The Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) said the bus launch is part of the country’s plan to reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life.

TGA head Rumaih Al Rumaih stated that this step aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategy to adopt sustainable transportation methods.

The hydrogen-powered bus is part of several initiatives to make the kingdom’s transportation greener.

Saudi Arabia has already introduced electric buses, hydrogen-powered taxis, and the first hydrogen and electric trucks for goods transport. Last year, the country also tested hydrogen-powered trains, which produce no carbon emissions.

The kingdom plans to continue working with public and private partners to modernise its transport sector.

Officials say these projects will help Saudi Arabia become a leader in sustainable transportation in the region.

 "It takes into account the feasibility of undertaking a climate response through a set of just transition pathways. Importantly, it notes carbon tax as a vital component of our mitigation strategy to lower greenhouse gas emissions,” President Ramaphosa was quoted .

According to him, the carbon tax will encourage companies to cut their carbon footprint and invest in cleaner technologies, generating revenue for climate initiatives.

 These funds will ultimately be channelled into renewable energy projects, energy efficiency programs, and social support mechanisms.

Ramaphosa also highlighted the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which has successfully attracted over R209 billion ($11.5 billion) in investment, and added much-needed capacity to the electricity grid.

 Other efforts including the Integrated Resource Plan, which details the country’s energy mix, are being updated to support decarbonisation goals. The Just Energy Transition Investment Plan outlines an investment of about $98 billion, focusing on the electricity grid, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, economic diversification, and skills development.

 Ramaphosa said, “We continue to explore opportunities to meet our emissions reduction targets in minerals extraction, green hydrogen production, new power infrastructure, electric vehicle manufacturing, and economic infrastructure upgrades.” He stressed the importance of a just and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy, ensuring no worker or community is left behind.

 Ramaphosa called on international partners to fulfil their financing commitments, noting that mitigation and adaptation financing remains challenging.

 He acknowledged the establishment of the Green Climate Fund, including the Loss and Damage Fund, but stressed the need for more innovative financing solutions to mobilise private capital and incentivise sustainable practices. “The National Treasury’s Climate Finance Strategy outlines how we can leverage public and private finance to achieve our climate goals,” he said .

 Ramaphosa further announced the upcoming launch of the Just Energy Transition Funding Platform, which will precede a broader Just Transition Financing Mechanism.

“We call on South African businesses to invest in the projects needed for a successful just transition in this country. We need to use blended finance to unlock private sector flows,” he urged.

Vietnam is experiencing political upheaval and anti-corruption purges, leading to the resignation of its president and a leadership vacuum. This has raised concerns about the country's stability and reputation, particularly as factions within the ruling Communist Party vie for position ahead of a crucial party congress in 2026, Fox News reported. The resignation of President Vo Van Thuong comes amidst an intense anti-corruption campaign.

Data centre market

In addition to the political developments, Vietnam's data centre market is rapidly growing, with domestic companies leading the way. The market value surged to over 1 billion USD last year, and major players like Amazon Web Services have announced projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. According to local media agency Vietnam Plus , although there are challenges such as a lack of global-scale infrastructure and skilled labour, experts believe large-scale projects in southern provinces could be particularly successful.

Investments

PepsiCo commits to sustainable business practices as it plans to invest $400 million in Vietnam to build two new manufacturing facilities powered by renewable energy sources. This investment further strengthens Vietnam's position as an attractive destination for international businesses seeking to expand their operations, reports media agency Live Mint .

Carbon credits

Vietnam has received a payment of US$51.5 million from the World Bank for reducing deforestation and forest degradation, resulting in the largest single payment for verified carbon credits. This success is attributed to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), which has supported Vietnam's efforts to reduce emissions and enhance forest carbon stocks, according to reports from media agency The Star . The program's impact is expected to benefit forest owners and neighbouring communities, as well as contribute to Vietnam's climate commitments, allowing the country to sell excess credits in the global carbon market.

Rubber exports

Vietnam's rubber exports in February reached 110,000 tonnes and generated over 160 million USD in revenue. The total for the first two months of 2024 amounted to 320,000 tonnes, worth 458 million USD, with China remaining the largest buyer, media agency Live Mint reports. The increase in exports to major international markets, along with rising rubber prices due to heightened demand for tyres in China, has contributed to the substantial revenue from rubber exports.

This payment signifies the initial disbursement of three instalments under Madagascar's Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

The World Bank’s Country Manager for Madagascar, Atou Seck said  “We congratulate Madagascar for successfully completing all the necessary steps to receive the first ERPA payment, and we look forward to continued collaboration on climate action.”

“Forests on the eastern part of the island provide ecosystem services that are critical for climate mitigation and resilience, including biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, and drought and flood mitigation. This program is helping to protect the remaining forests that are inextricably linked to the well-being of many communities in that area and across the country,” he added.

The agreement aims to mobilize up to $50 million to diminish a total of 10 million tons of CO2e emissions by the conclusion of 2024, particularly focusing on the rainforest-rich eastern coast of the country.

Madagascar holds the status of being one of the eight crucial global biodiversity hotspots, recognized as a priority conservation area owing to the substantial presence of species facing the threat of extinction.

The reported emission reductions were officially documented by Madagascar's Bureau National de Changement Climatique et REDD+ (BNCCREDD+) and subsequently validated and verified through a meticulous and independent third-party assessment process.

“There are 15 REDD+ initiatives in Madagascar and a benefit-sharing plan is in place with local actors and communities to ensure they receive the majority of the benefits. This will allow the stakeholders to continue promoting community management of natural resources and restoration of degraded areas while stimulating conservation-friendly farming models,” said BNCCREDD+ Coordinator,  Lovakanto Ravelomanana.