Natural gas drives record CO2 emissions
Global carbon emissions boosted by soaring natural gas use are set to hit record levels in 2019 despite a decline in coal consumption and a string of countries declaring a climate emergency, researchers said on Wednesday.
In its annual analysis of fossil fuel trends, the Global Carbon Project said CO2 emissions were on course to rise 0.6 percent this year — slower than previous years, but still a world away from what is needed to keep global warming in check. In three peer-reviewed studies, authors attributed the rise to “robust growth” in natural gas and oil, which offset significant falls in coal use in the US and Europe. “We see clearly that global changes come from fluctuations in coal use,” said Corrine Le
That is the highest level in at least 800,000 years.
The report will make for further uncomfortable reading for delegates gathered at UN climate talks in Madrid.
Last week the UN said global emissions needed to fall 7.6 percent every year to 2030 to stand any chance of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 C.
With just 1 C of warming since the industrial era so far, 2019 saw a string of deadly superstorms, drought, wildfires and flooding. The UN said on Wednesday that the 2010s was almost certain to be the hottest decade on record and as many as 22 million people could be displaced by extreme weather this year.
The authors pointed out 2019’s rise in emissions was slower than each of the two previous years.
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