New carbon factor increase in 2022 (+0.5%), further away from the 2°C pathway.

The global carbon factor (CO₂ emissions per toe of energy consumed) increased again by 0.5% in 2022 (after +1.1% in 2021, its first increase since 2013), while a more than 3%/year reduction would be required to reach the 2°C pathway. This increase is due to a higher energy consumption in countries with a high carbon factor, such as Indonesia, India or Saudi Arabia, and to a more CO₂ intensive power mix in the EU (lower nuclear generation and increased coal-fired power generation), in Mexico and in Russia (strong increase in coal-consumption). On the other hand, the carbon factor improved in China and the USA (continued replacement of coal by gas and renewables in the power sector), in South Korea (higher nuclear power generation), in Brazil (higher hydroelectricity generation cutting gas demand) and in South Africa (unavailability of coal-fired power plants).