Global Carbon Pollution Reaches New Record High in 2023

Global carbon pollution from energy sources hit a new record high in 2023, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday. 

The main reason for this new record is the increase in fossil fuel use in countries that were hit by droughts.

Depp cuts in carbon emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, will be needed in the coming years to limit the global rise in temperatures.

IAE said in its report: “Far from falling rapidly — as is required to meet the global climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement — CO2 emissions reached a new record high."

Global emissions from energy jumped by 410 million metric tons (1.1%) in 2023, according to the IEA analysis data.

Recently, the world saw a wide expansion in clean energy and technology like wind, solar, and electric vehicles. This contributed to reducing the rate of emissions growth, which hit 1.3% in 2022. 

The resuming of China's economy played a major role in increasing fossil fuel use in countries with low hydropower, IEA highlighted in the report.

“Without this effect, emissions from the global electricity sector would have fallen in 2023,” the IEA stated.