Global carbon emissions are set to grow more slowly in 2019, with a decline in coal burning offset by strong growth in natural gas and oil use worldwide – according to researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA), University of Exeter and the Global Carbon Project.
Emissions from burning fossil fuels are projected to grow by 0.6 per cent (range: –0.2 to +1.5 per cent) this year to reach almost 37 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2). This is down from 1.5 per cent in 2017 and 2.1 per cent in 2018.
This lower rate of growth is due to substantial declines in coal use in the EU and US, and slower growth in coal use in China and India compared to recent years. Weaker economic growth has also contributed to this trend.
Natural gas has seen the fastest fossil fuel emissions growth in 2019, with a projected increase of 2.6 per cent (+1.3 to +3.9 per cent). Oil used in transport is also driving emissions up, with a projected increase of 0.9 per cent (+0.3 to +1.6 per cent) this year, while emissions from coal burning are projected to decrease by 0.9 per cent (-2.0 to +0.2 per cent).
Read more at University of East Anglia
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