Carbon emissions globally

How are net zero emissions defined? It matters. It is the difference between either halting or continuing global warming, writes senior researcher Glen Peters in this blog about a new study published in Nature. 

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 0.8% in 2024, despite predictions of peak emissions. The positive progress in many countries and clean technologies is offset by persistent fossil fuel use. 

The use of alternative fuels could be one way for the aviation sector to reduce its emissions. A new study of fuel use in domestic flights in Norway shows some mitigation potential for alternative fuels, but warns that these alternatives are neither emission-free nor climate-neutral.

How are global emissions projected to develop in the years to come? To reach pathways consistent with the goals in the Paris Agreement, global CO₂ emissions should be falling by around five percent this year.

Human-caused global warming has continued to increase at an “unprecedented rate” since the last major assessment of the climate system published two years ago, say 50 leading scientists in a new paper in the journal Earth System Science Data. 

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 1.0% in 2022 as the COVID recovery continues amidst turmoil in energy markets. Growth in oil use, particularly aviation, and coal use are behind most of the increase in 2022. 

The aviation industry’s response to climate change relies mainly on cleaner fuels and carbon offsetting. Government and industry must experiment with other approaches to bring the climate impact of aviation closer to zero, argues researchers in a Nature commentary. 

The Global Carbon Project was formed in 2001 to help the international science community to establish a common, mutually agreed knowledge base that supports policy debate and action to slow the rate of increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

During the recent Glasgow Climate Conference (COP26) there was a lot of focus on the climate outcomes of new climate policy pledges. A new analysis shows that these outcomes are more uncertain then often assumed.

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 4.9% in 2021, nearly offsetting the 5.4% decline in 2020 due the COVID restrictions. Coal and gas use rebounded strongly to exceed 2019 levels, while oil use remains suppressed, suggesting strong policy action is needed to avoid continued emissions growth in 2022.