We’ve kickstarted 2025 here at CleanEarth, but before we get too far into the year, we’re taking a quick look back at 2024 – good and bad.
From recording breaking energy performances to record breaking heat, last year gave us good and bad – grounds for both hope and gloom. Read on to catch up on the key points from 2024, good and bad, and what’s important to carry on into 2025.
First the bad news
Recording breaking heat
2024 officially beat 2023 as the hottest year on record, following a concerning trend of increasing heat year on year. Though there is speculation that 2025 will fall slightly below 2024’s intense highs.
1.5C crossed
Last year was the first since records began that average global temperatures reached 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. It’s not a breach of the Paris Agreement as the 1.5C limit refers to average temperatures over roughly 20 years. However, this is a clear indicator that it’s time for serious changes in our global emissions.
More extreme weather conditions
The world was faced with 41 extra days of dangerous heat levels as a result of climate change, potentially spurred on by the impact of El Niño. This had far reaching impacts, and will continue to do so, but the upcoming La Niña phase may help cool things down.
The Autumn Budget
Changes announced in the Autumn Budget could have a big impact on operational costs for businesses. With employer’s National Insurance Contribution up from 13.8% to 15% this looks like a £25bn tax contribution from businesses. While this uncertainty poses questions for investment in renewables, the breadth of financing options continues to support businesses in embracing clean energy.
US Presidential Election
With the re-election of Donald Trump, the UK is braced for the impacts of international trade tariffs in the US and potentially the EU, which are likely to cause UK growth to fall.
And now the good news
Green energy on the up
In 2024 15.5% of the UK’s energy came from renewable sources. For electricity specifically this number was 37%, up 10% from 2023. The energy mix was the cleanest it’s ever been last year, and we can see the appetite for renewable electricity growing by the day here at CleanEarth.
Harnessing wind power
Wind power had a record year in 2024, generating 83 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. A decade ago wind and solar were supplying just 10% of Great Britain’s electricity, but these two sources now make up roughly a third. This trend is set to continue at pace.
The Autumn budget
The Made Smart Innovation programme saw positive investment announcements, with £37m in extra funding that will help open doors for businesses and manufacturers.
New avenues for onshore wind
With the new Labour government, the de-facto onshore wind ban in England was lifted. This marks a shift in opportunity for businesses to pursue avenues of renewable energy like never before. This is particularly interesting for sectors like the cold chain, for whom onshore or onsite wind generation has massive impacts on operational costs.
The last days of UK coal power
In September, the UK’s last coal power station based in Ratcliffe-on-Soar closed its doors. This historic moment marked the end of coal power as it was in the UK, as coal is phased out of its former place in the energy mix.
On to the next
The UK saw a big year full of ups and downs on a global and economic scale. The UK government is aiming for 95% clean energy by 2030 – just 5 years away. Energy costs are still hitting businesses hard, and carbon reduction is clearly more vital than ever. At CleanEarth we’re heading into 2025 with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose. Check out our projects page to learn more about what might be in store.
Source
1 Solar capacity grows 1GW year-on-year – Solar Power Portal
2 Record year for wind power in Great Britain in 2024 – BBC News
3 Renewables Surpass Fossil Fuels in UK Power Mix 2024 – edie
4 State of the climate: 2024 sets a new record as the first year above 1.5C – Carbon Brief
5 A year of extreme weather that challenged billions – BBC News