Europeans got more of their electricity from renewable sources than fossil fuels for the first time last year, according to an annual report from Ember and Agora Energiewende.

The report, which has been tracking European Union’s power sector since 2015, found that renewables delivered 38% of electricity last year, compared to 37% delivered by fossil fuels.

The shift comes as other sources, such as wind and solar power, have risen in the European Union. Both sources have nearly doubled since 2015, and as of last year accounted for one-fifth of electricity generation in EU countries, the report found. It’s also the reason why coal power declined 20% last year, making up only 13% of electricity generated in Europe.

“Rapid growth in wind and solar has forced coal into decline, but this is just the beginning,” said Dave Jones, senior electricity analyst for Ember and lead author on the report, in a statement. “Europe is relying on wind and solar to ensure not only coal is phased out by 2030, but also to phase out gas generation, replace closing nuclear power plants, and to meet rising electricity demand from electric cars and heat pumps.”

Last year’s COVID-19 lockdown measures resulted in less demand for electricity across the globe. European demand decreased by 4% in 2020, according to the report, which said COVID trends had no effect on the growth of renewable energy sources. Since 2015, Europe’s electricity emissions recorded a historic decline, becoming 29% cleaner, the report noted.

The milestone follows commitments from EU leaders last month to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030. In the United States, their counterparts (同身份的人) successfully developed renewable energy to overtake coal consumption in recent years. Last May, renewable energy sources were consumed more than coal for the first time since 1885.

“Post-pandemic economic recovery must not slow down climate action,” said Patrick Graichen, director of Agora Energiewende, in a statement. “We therefore need strong climate policies — such as in the Green Deal — to ensure steady progress.”

【小题1】What happened in EU countries according to the first three paragraphs?

A．The use of renewables declined by 38% last year.

B．20% of electricity was generated by renewables last year.

C．Fossil fuels were no longer used to generate electricity.

D．Coal power made up just 13% of electricity generation last year.

【小题2】Which of the following does Dave Jones agree with?

A．Cutting greenhouse gas emissions forced coal into decline.

B．Coal consumption is phased out due to rapid growth in wind and solar.

C．More nuclear power plants should be built to meet electricity demand.

D．Fossil fuels will eventually be abandoned in European countries.

【小题3】What happened after the COVID-19 lockdown according to the passage?

A．The demand for renewables decreased across the globe.

B．Electricity consumption dropped to a historic record.

C．The growth in wind and solar power was hardly influenced.

D．The economy was making steady progress.

【小题4】What is the author’s purpose in writing this article?

A．To compare renewable sources with fossil fuels.

B．To report on electricity generation in Europe.

C．To emphasize recovery in post-pandemic era.

D．To advocate strong climate policies in Europe.