But a closer look at energy and emissions data from around the world reveals some bright spots of good news, and a lot of potential progress ahead.
For example, renewable energy forms an increasing share of the energy supply and is getting cheaper every year. Countries are setting new emissions reduction targets, and unprecedented public investment can unlock more technological progress.
Read on to learn why there are at least a few reasons to be hopeful.
While emissions hit new heights in 2022, the peak is just around the corner.
Emissions in 2022 are higher than ever, according to data from fossil fuel sources Global Carbon Project. Global growth was just over 1% year-on-year, continuing to rebound from 2020 lows caused by the covid-19 pandemic. Overall, emissions have doubled over the past 40 years or so.
But while global emissions are growing, many countries have seen their plateaus or start to decline. Remission rates in the United States peaked in 2005 and have since declined by more than 10%. Emissions have also stagnated in Russia, Japan and the European Union.
Global emissions are expected to peak around 2025 International Energy Agency. Reaching maximum annual emissions is an important milestone and the first step in turning the metaphorical boat on greenhouse gases.
But emissions are still rising in some countries, including China (now the world’s leading emitter) and India, both of which have growing populations and economies. Growth has been particularly sharp in China, where emissions have roughly doubled over the past 15 years.
Chinese government has Commitment China will peak its emissions in 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2060. The peak may occur earlier, in 2025 or earlier, According to an analysis by CarbonBrief. The country is deploying renewable energy at a record pace, roughly quadrupling installations over the past decade.
