Wopke Hoekstra: Global emissions increased by 1.3% in 2023

While emissions in European Union countries decreased by 8%, global emissions increased by 1.3% in 2023, European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra said at the "Ministerial Dialogue: Expanding investments to triple renewable energy use and double energy efficiency" event held on the sidelines of COP29, Report informs.

According to Hoekstra, the reduction of emissions in EU countries was mainly possible due to the rapid expansion of renewable energy: "Today, more than half of Europe's electricity comes from wind and solar power, which surpasses all fossil fuels. Since renewable energy is obtained from local sources, it serves to create jobs, strengthen independence, and protect the environment. Achieving these targets will reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 10 billion tons by the end of this decade, over three years' worth of total emissions from European Union countries. This is quite an ambitious vision, but I think it can be implemented."