IEA: Global CO2 emissions reach record level

Paris (energate) - Global CO2 emissions are higher than ever before. Thanks to the progress of the energy transition, CO2 emissions climbed more slowly and less sharply than feared in the energy crisis year of 2022. According to a recent report by the World Energy Agency IEA, emissions rose by 0.9 per cent to 36.8 billion tonnes in the crisis year 2022.

Despite all efforts, CO2 emissions from the global energy sector climbed by 6 per cent, partly due to rising global energy demand. Emissions from industrial production, on the other hand, fell by 1.7 per cent. The main reason was a decline in steel and cement production in China. According to the IEA, the driver of the global increase in emissions was Asia and other emerging countries. China, on the other hand, kept its CO2 emissions at the previous year's level of 12.1 billion tonnes.
 

Europe slightly reduces CO2 emissions

Europe succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions by 70 million tonnes or 2.5 per cent. The continent benefited from the expansion of renewables and mild winter weather. Both contributed to the reduction, although the energy demand in Europe has increased compared to 2021.

While the renaissance of coal-fired power fuelled the increase in CO2 emissions, emissions from the combustion of gas fell by 1.6 per cent worldwide. For Europe, the IEA even reported a 13.5 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from energy production with gas. /pa