Growth in CO2 Emissions Slower Than the Last Ten Years Average

Although global CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use and cement production has grown, the growth has been notably slower at 2 percent than on average in the last ten years, according to the findings of annual report 'Trends in global CO2 emissions' released by PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and the JRC. This slowdown began in 2012 and signals a further decoupling of global emissions and economic growth.

USA, EU and China remain the top-3 emitters of CO2, accounting for respectively 29 percent, 15 percent and 11 percent of the world's total CO2 emissions. Sharp risers in CO2 emissions in 2013, include Brazil (+ 6.2 percent), India (+ 4.4 percent), China (+ 4.2 percent) and Indonesia (+2.3 percent).

The emissions increase in China of 4.2 percent in 2013 and 3.4 percent in 2012 was due to decline in electricity and fuel demand from the basic materials industry, and aided by an increase in renewable energy and by energy efficiency improvements.

The emissions increase in the United States in 2013 (+2.5 percent) was majorly due to a shift in power production from gas to coal together with an increase in gas consumption due to a higher demand for space heating.

Source: Medindia