Global climate targets

How are net zero emissions defined? It matters. It is the difference between either halting or continuing global warming, writes senior researcher Glen Peters in this blog about a new study published in Nature. 

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 0.8% in 2024, despite predictions of peak emissions. The positive progress in many countries and clean technologies is offset by persistent fossil fuel use. 

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 1.1% in 2023 despite record progress in clean energy. A renewed focus on limiting the use of coal, oil, and gas is needed. 

Human-caused global warming has continued to increase at an “unprecedented rate” since the last major assessment of the climate system published two years ago, say 50 leading scientists in a new paper in the journal Earth System Science Data. 

Global fossil co₂ emissions are expected to grow 4.9% in 2021, nearly offsetting the 5.4% decline in 2020 due the COVID restrictions. Coal and gas use rebounded strongly to exceed 2019 levels, while oil use remains suppressed, suggesting strong policy action is needed to avoid continued emissions growth in 2022.

Global co₂ emissions are projected to rise a low 0.6% in 2019 due to robust growth in natural gas and oil use, and despite a decline in coal consumption. Natural gas has been the dominant driver of global emissions since 2012.

Global co₂ emissions are on track to rise more than 2% in 2018 on the back of renewed growth in coal use, and continued growth in oil and gas use, according to data released on 5 December.