Electricity is the basic need of most economic sectors within a national economy that not only directly affects the amount of CO_2 emissions, but it also indirectly affects a country's economic system. In Jordan, the electricity generation sector represents the largest source of CO_2 emissions of more than 50% of total emissions; therefore it is necessary to investigate the possible factors contributing to the changes in CO_2 emissions of this sector. The key factors affecting the progress of CO_2 emissions from Jordan's thermal power sector was analysed using Divisia index decomposition. These factors include: Electricity generation efficiency, thermal power structure, electricity structure, electricity intensity and economic growth were investigated. The main results display that CO_2 emissions from electricity generation have doubled during the study period 2000-2015. Moreover, the economic effect and electricity intensity effect were the critical factors for increased CO_2 emissions from Jordan's thermal power generation, while electricity generation efficiency and thermal power structure effects played dominant role in decreasing CO_2 emissions. Since economic activities cannot be cut without influencing on the economic performance of Jordan, use of natural gas instead of diesel and heavy fuel in electricity generation, the orientation of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency improvements, enhancing energy conservation, and promoting a shift in the economic structure toward less energy-intensive services would be important ways to reduce CO_2 emissions.
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