Emissions hit record high to fuel climate fears

● Carbon dioxide levels rise 2 per cent in 2017 after three stable years

Global carbon emissions have risen to record highs this year, undermining hopes the world had reached a peak in pollution driving climate change.

A 2 per cent rise in carbon dioxide coming from fossil fuels and industry in 2017 follows three years in which the world saw little to no growth in emissions.

Scientists had previously believed the stabilisation had opened up the possibility of pollution levels peaking and starting to decline.

The delay in that moment, signalled by carbon emissions rising again this year, has prompted a warning that time is running out on the ability to keep temperature rises to levels that could avoid dangerous climate change. New data revealed by researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Global Carbon Project found emissions from all human activities are set to reach 41 billion tonnes by the end of this year.

This year’s rise is largely due to increased growth in emissions from China. Levels are projected to grow 3.5 per cent as the country burns more coal in the face of industrial growth and low hydropower output due to low rainfall.

US and European Union emissions are expected to decline by 0.4 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively. They are smaller drops than in the previous decade.

Lead researcher Corinne Le

0 Carbon emissions are set to reach 41 billion tonnes Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at UEA, said the latest findings were very disappointing.

“Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions appear to be going up strongly once again after a three- year stable period,” she said.

“With global CO2 emissions from human activities estimated at 41 billion tonnes for 2017, time is running out on our ability to keep warming well below 2C, let alone 1.5C.”

The data comes as countries meet for the latest round of United Nations climate talks in Bonn, Germany. Powerbrokers will discuss initiating the Paris Agreement – the world’s first comprehensive treaty on climate change.

The agreement commits countries to holding global temperature rises to “well below” 2C above pre-industrial levels, which will require greenhouse gas emissions to be cut to net zero by the second half of the century. The deal also commits to curbing increases to 1.5C, which vulnerable countries say is necessary to ensure their survival.

Glen Peters, a research director at CICERO Centre for International Climate Research in Oslo, warned: “Global commitments made in Paris in 2015 to reduce emissions are still not being matched by actions.”