Level emissions

The International Energy Agency says 2016 was the third consecutive year that global carbon emissions remained stable, even with the world’s economy growing by more than 3 percent.

The expansion of renewable energy sources and the ongoing switch from coal to somewhat cleaner natural gas are the leading factors behind greenhouse gas emissions staying at levels not previously seen since 1992.

“These three years of flat emissions in a growing global economy signal an emerging trend,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.