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CO2 Emissions Lesser than Expected in 2022
CO2 Emissions. Photo courtesy of International Energy Agency Website
New analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rose by less than 1% in 2022, which was less than initially feared. The growth of solar, wind, electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps, and energy efficiency helped limit the impacts of increased use of coal and oil amid the global energy crisis.
The IEA's report, "CO2 Emissions in 2022," is the first in a new series, the Global Energy Transitions Stocktake, which aims to bring together the IEA's latest analysis in one place.
Although the rise in emissions last year was far smaller than the exceptional jump of over 6% in 2021, emissions still remain on an unsustainable growth trajectory, calling for stronger actions to accelerate the clean energy transition and move the world onto a path towards meeting its energy and climate goals.
The report highlights that emissions from coal grew by 1.6% as the global energy crisis continued to spur a wave of gas-to-coal switching in Asia, and to a lesser degree in Europe. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions from oil grew by 2.5%, but still remained below pre-pandemic levels.
China's emissions were broadly flat in 2022, and the European Union's emissions fell by 2.5% thanks to record deployment of renewables helping ensure the use of coal was not as high as some observers had anticipated.
In the United States, emissions grew by 0.8% as buildings increased their energy consumption to cope with extreme temperatures. Excluding China, emissions from Asia's emerging and developing economies increased by 4.2%, reflecting their rapid economic and energy demand growth.
The IEA's Executive Director, Fatih Birol, stated that the impacts of the energy crisis didn't result in the major increase in global emissions that was initially feared, and this is thanks to the outstanding growth of renewables, EVs, heat pumps, and energy efficient technologies. However, he added that international and national fossil fuel companies are making record revenues and need to take their share of responsibility, in line with their public pledges to meet climate goals. It's critical that they review their strategies to make sure they're aligned with meaningful emissions reductions.
The IEA's report, "CO2 Emissions in 2022," is the first in a new series, the Global Energy Transitions Stocktake, which aims to bring together the IEA's latest analysis in one place.
Although the rise in emissions last year was far smaller than the exceptional jump of over 6% in 2021, emissions still remain on an unsustainable growth trajectory, calling for stronger actions to accelerate the clean energy transition and move the world onto a path towards meeting its energy and climate goals.
The report highlights that emissions from coal grew by 1.6% as the global energy crisis continued to spur a wave of gas-to-coal switching in Asia, and to a lesser degree in Europe. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions from oil grew by 2.5%, but still remained below pre-pandemic levels.
China's emissions were broadly flat in 2022, and the European Union's emissions fell by 2.5% thanks to record deployment of renewables helping ensure the use of coal was not as high as some observers had anticipated.
In the United States, emissions grew by 0.8% as buildings increased their energy consumption to cope with extreme temperatures. Excluding China, emissions from Asia's emerging and developing economies increased by 4.2%, reflecting their rapid economic and energy demand growth.
The IEA's Executive Director, Fatih Birol, stated that the impacts of the energy crisis didn't result in the major increase in global emissions that was initially feared, and this is thanks to the outstanding growth of renewables, EVs, heat pumps, and energy efficient technologies. However, he added that international and national fossil fuel companies are making record revenues and need to take their share of responsibility, in line with their public pledges to meet climate goals. It's critical that they review their strategies to make sure they're aligned with meaningful emissions reductions.
Mar 2, 2023
