The energy mix refers to the combination of energy sources used to generate power in a particular country, region, or energy system.

These energy sources can include:

• Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal. These energy sources are limited and non-renewable, and their combustion contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
• Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass energy. They can be replenished at a rate that allows for sustainable use. These energy sources are generally less polluting and have lower carbon emissions than fossil energy sources.
• Other energy technologies such as nuclear energy, which is a non-renewable source but considered clean because it does not emit greenhouse gases.

The more the energy mix is skewed towards fossil fuels, the higher the CO2 emissions. Conversely, the more central the use of clean and renewable energy, the more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy production is.

The energy mix can vary significantly from one country to another based on the availability of energy resources, energy policies, environmental considerations, and energy production costs. The energy mix can also be influenced by factors such as energy demand, available technology, energy policy, and availability of funding for the development of new energy sources.

The energy mix is important because a country’s energy choices can influence the environment, public health, energy security, and the economy at both local and global levels. Energy policies that promote clean and renewable energy sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change, and improve air quality. However, the transition to a cleaner energy mix can be complex and require significant investments in new energy technologies.

Digitalization makes the issue of the energy mix increasingly crucial, given the large amounts of energy required by the sector.

As of January 2023, the energy mixes used by the Karma Metrix algorithm are:

• Global, with coal as the main primary energy source and therefore with a greater environmental impact
• European, more eco-sustainable as the weight of renewable sources is higher

The Karma Metrix algorithm is constantly evolving and the above may have changed in the meantime.