How wind and solar drove a record fall in coal power in 2020 - and why it's nowhere near enough

clock • 5 min read

Analysis from energy think tank Ember celebrates a record fall in coal-fired power generation through 2020, but warns the global energy system remains far from alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement

Wind and solar soared to new generation heights during 2020, contributing to a record fall in global coal-fired power generation of over four per cent, new research released today reveals. However,...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

Author spotlight

Toby Hill

View profile
More from Toby Hill

'Indispensible': Can the carbon offset market bolster its credibility?

Sadiq Khan pledges 170,000 London green jobs in mayoral re-election pitch

More on Energy

E.ON strikes deal to snap up OVO's UK retail business
Energy

E.ON strikes deal to snap up OVO's UK retail business

Combined firms set to become UK's largest retail energy supplier and ramp up efforts to deliver flexible grid services and domestic clean technologies

Michael Holder
Michael Holder
clock 11 May 2026 • 5 min read
Why do we ignore obvious energy security solutions?
Energy

Why do we ignore obvious energy security solutions?

Even in the midst of a severe global fossil fuel energy crisis, energy efficiency measures - supported by electrification and digital technologies - are still too often overlooked, writes Nicola Cullen from the Climate Group

Nicola Cullen, Climate Group
clock 07 May 2026 • 4 min read
Poll: Majority of UK public believes excessive oil and gas profits are 'morally wrong'
Energy

Poll: Majority of UK public believes excessive oil and gas profits are 'morally wrong'

Survey of over 2,000 UK adults finds strong support for expanding homegrown clean energy to boost Britain’s energy security

Michael Holder
Michael Holder
clock 06 May 2026 • 5 min read