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Clearing the air

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels, account for 70% of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Since these have a profound effect on global warming, governments, companies and investors are looking towards net-zero policies to speed up decarbonisation.

Technological innovation and energy efficiency can reduce major sources of CO2 emissions from four sectors: power generation, transport, buildings and industrials. These "decarbonisation pathways" have the potential to reduce total emissions by 81% by 2050.

Power generation

  • The highest-emitting industry1, responsible for roughly 26% of total GHGs

  • Solar, wind, and energy-storage solutions will propel decarbonisation

  • Emerging alternatives include green hydrogen and carbon capture

Given the high proportion of carbon created by power generation, expanding decarbonisation technologies in this sector can lead to significant change.

Transport

A pie chart showing fuels used by the transportation sector, where oil makes up 77% and electricity makes up 1%.

  • 77% of fuel is made up of carbon-rich oil and its derivatives2

  • Electric vehicles are driving the industry's overall energy transition

  • Increased global regulations can reduce shipping and aviation emissions

With more alternatives to petrol power, and increasingly stringent regulations, the transportation sector is quickly evolving.

Buildings

Pie charts of the total energy-related emissions from buildings, where electricity and heat create 69%, natural gas 17%, oil 9%, and coal 5%.

  • Account for 30% of global primary energy consumption3

  • More energy-efficient construction can lower this figure

  • Existing structures can be retrofitted with green technology

Fossil fuels heat and cool structures around the world. However, new technologies like hydrogen gas, as well as new building codes, will make a big difference.

Industrials

  • Generate 21% of global emissions, including significant methane4

  • Energy efficiency has been a large focus in powering decarbonisation

  • Clean hydrogen may emerge as a key renewable solution

Mining, metal processing, and the production of gas and oil can be carbon intensive. Electrifying these industries could make them much cleaner.

How can decarbonisation affect investment strategies?

Energy efficiency and renewable alternatives play critical roles in the drive towards net zero. And investments in specific technologies can speed up this effort. Investors should watch emerging developments aimed at lowering emissions, as they will be key to limiting global warming.

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1UNEP, HSBC

2International Energy Agency (IEA), HSBC

3IEA, The World Resources Institute, HSBC

4HSBC Global Research

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