The CO2 Challenge

A New Energy Future

How will we meet the world's growing appetite for energy while also reducing CO2 emissions?

Although rapidly reducing global emissions will require a range of actions, from preserving Earth's forests to changing the ways we travel, providing clean sources of electricity is most critical.

Throughout history, when populations have grown and economic activities have increased, the demand for energy has also risen, even as societies have become more energy efficient. Assuming that populations and economies continue to expand, energy demand will likely grow in the future. In particular, demand for electricity will increase. Using current technologies, CO₂ emissions from electrical plants will also rise dramatically. In fact, power plants already contribute almost 30 percent of global CO₂ emissions, and their share is growing faster than that of any other source.