Global pollution from electricity generation was set to fall last year, thanks to the growth of renewable energy.
Hydropower, the biggest source of renewable energy in the world, was crippled by lack of rain in several countries last year, driving up emissions as countries turned to fossil fuels to fill the gap.
To cope with the electricity shortfall, China and India turned to coal plants, and Colombia to natural gas.
In China, the worst-hit country, hydroelectricity generation saw the steepest fall in the past two decades, according to the I.E.A.
This year, the dip in hydropower has continued in some countries, including Ecuador and Turkey, as temperatures continue to shatter records.
Persons:
Ivan Penn
Organizations:
International Energy Agency
Locations:
China, India, Colombia, Ecuador, Turkey, Canada, United States