Global carbon emissions return to pre-pandemic levels
Global carbon emissions have rebounded to their pre-pandemic levels as industry and the economy seek to get back up-and-running after nearly a year of reduced operations owing to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Emissions in December were up 2% from the same time last year, which was primarily driven by economic recovery and a lack of clean air policies.
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The coronavirus pandemic saw the single largest drop in emissions since World War II, but overall emissions for 2020 were only down 6% owing to steep differences depending on region and time of year.
Emissions hit their low in April but eventually rose to surpass 2019 levels, according to the report.
Dr Fatih Birol, the IEA Executive Director, said the sharp increase in emissions should act as a "stark warning" to world leaders that not enough is being done to tackle climate issues globally.
He added this could prevent opportunities to ensure 2019 was the peak for carbon emissions and ensuring the world moves towards decarbonisation.
Dr Birol said: “In March 2020, the IEA urged governments to put clean energy at the heart of their economic stimulus plans to ensure a sustainable recovery. But our numbers show we are returning to carbon-intensive business-as-usual.
"This year is pivotal for international climate action – and it began with high hopes – but these latest numbers are a sharp reminder of the immense challenge we face in rapidly transforming the global energy system.”
Many nations have set themselves climate goals of hitting net-zero by the mid-century, between 2040 and 2060.
Emissions in China for 2020 increased by 0.8% from 2019 levels, which was primarily driven by quick economic recovery from the pandemic. It was the only major global economy that grew in 2020.
In India, emissions surpassed 2019 levels in September as lockdown restrictions were relaxed and in Brazil an early recovery in road travel caused oil prices to begin to rise, while gas demand bounced back towards the end of the year.
The US, however, saw a sharp 10% drop in emissions but began to rebound later in the year - ultimately failing to reach 2019 levels by the new year.
“If current expectations for a global economic rebound this year are confirmed – and in the absence of major policy changes in the world’s largest economies – global emissions are likely to increase in 2021,” Dr Birol said.
“Nonetheless, there are still reasons for optimism. China has set an ambitious carbon-neutrality target; the new US administration has rejoined the Paris Agreement and is putting climate at the heart of its policy-making; the European Union is pushing ahead with its Green Deal and sustainable recovery plans; India’s stunning success with renewables could transform its energy future, and the United Kingdom is building global momentum toward stronger climate action at COP26 in November.”
Total global emissions dropped by nearly 2 billion tonnes in 2020, the report adds, marking the largest drop in recorded history.
This was also guided by an increase in renewable energy throughout the year.
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Other research has hinted that renewable energy operated a far larger market share than expected - a trend that was not anticipated for at least another few years.
It is expected that by the end of the decade, renewables could dominate the energy market, but the IEA research hints this may only be possible once global leaders set themselves strict climate goals.
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