CO2 emissions on the rise again: IEA

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose slightly in December compared with the same month of 2019, indicating the sharp drop seen due to the pandemic was short-lived.

Figures released on Tuesday by the International Energy Agency (IEA) show emissions from the production and use of oil, gas and coal were 2% higher in December 2020 than a year earlier, threatening to put climate treaty targets for capping global warming out of reach.

The Paris-based intergovernmental agency said a resurgence in economic activity coupled with a lack of clean energy policies mean many countries are now seeing higher emissions than before the coronavirus outbreak. “The rebound in global carbon emissions toward the end of last year is a stark warning that not enough is being done to accelerate clean energy transitions worldwide,” said executive director Fatih Birol.

“If governments don’t move quickly with the right energy policies, this could put at risk the world’s historic opportunity to make 2019 the definitive peak in global emissions.”

Scientists have previously calculated that CO₂ emissions fell by 7% during the full year 2020 as people stayed at home because of the pandemic.

“Our numbers show we are returning to carbon-intensive business-as-usual,” said Birol.

“These latest numbers are a sharp reminder of the immense challenge we face in rapidly transforming the global energy system.” Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.